Meuli Neutralizes Mulovhedzi To Become WBF Champion

25-year-old Swiss prospect Zino Meuli came of age on Saturday night, August 25, when he captured the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) International Welterweight title by defeating former IBO World Champion Tsiko Mulovhedzi from South Africa. Headlining a show promoted by Markus Schefer at the Bodensee-Arena in Kreuzlingen, Switzerland, a lot of pressure was on the back of the young man from Horn, only about 30 kilometres away, with plenty of support from fans, family and friends. It was expected to be a tough and dangerous fight for Meuli, who had never competed at this level before, and Mulovhedzi, who had fought and defeated much better opposition, was by many considered a favourite to ruin the party. But, after a nervous start, the local hero found his distance and rhythm after four rounds and out-boxed the visitor while moving effectively and landing in spurts. Mulovhedzi came forward but was very infective, and never landed anything of consequence. Judges Thomas Walser and Jean-Marcel Nartz both scored the fight 98-92, while judge Joerg Mangott had Meuli, now 12-0 (6), winning even more comfortably at 100-91. Mulovhedzi travels back to South Africa with a 12-9-3 (6) record, losing only for the second time in the last nine years.