PE teacher Mjanja is class act, says coach

Tatenda Mjanja…makes debut at Chase Leisure Centre on Saturday

NEW pro Tatenda Mjanja is a champ in waiting, his manager has pledged. And we’re talking British champ in waiting.

Those are lofty expectations on the shoulders of a tall super-middle who takes his bow on Scott Murray’s Saturday show at Chase Leisure Centre, Cannock.

In the opposite corner for the apprentice four rounder will be fellow newcomer Josh Cooke.

From sparring stories, Birmingham’s Mjanja is a handful. There’s a long road before Lonsdale Belts can be mentioned, however.

The Zimbabwe born 24-year-old – a school PE teacher by day – is a product of Naji Al Harbi’s Hi Tech boxing club.

He comes into the paid ranks with a solid record of 30 wins, 14 losses and Midlands titles. I’ll be interested to see what he brings to the table.

“He’s beaten top names in the country and the Portuguese champion,” Naji, who manages and trains Mjanja, said. “He always wanted to go pro, but stayed in the amateurs because I wanted him to win a national title.

“Bad luck prevented that. The last one, he was injured going in, the other he got a cut.”

Fans can expect excitement, the coach pledged.

“He throws a lot of shots, he’s developing all the time. He has good power, an unbelievable chin and is a very good boxer off the jab. He can go non-stop round after round. Wherever he spars, wherever he goes, they always talk about him. He’s been sparring with Shakan Pitters, he sparred a seven foot heavyweight last week.”

Naji has high hopes for Mjanja. He added: “He can win an English title, I think he’ll definitely win a British title. I think he has a great chance.”

The journey to belts begins in Cannock. That’s when punches replace the predictions.