Zack Mwekassa wears a hooded black robe to the ring. It makes him look like an executioner and that is appropriate, because his left hook is as instantly effective as a guillotine blade when it lands cleanly on a victimâs jaw.
In the co-headline fight of GLORY 22 FRANCE, Mwekassa faced the Tae Kwon Do and karate stylist Carlos âShake & Bakeâ Brooks of New York. The American light-heavyweight is a training partner of GLORY veteran and professional boxer Jarrell âBig Babyâ Miller.
That association was evident early on when he demonstrated an effective jab and good boxing form. Mwekassa hunted for big shots but initially couldnât find them as he struggled to get his range. Once he found it, the even nature of the fight changed. Mwekassa rocked Brooks and put him down for an eight-count and suddenly the game was about survival.
Mwekassa went after Brooks on the restart and wasnât even trying to hide the fact that he wanted to land a left hook. Brooks blocked and backpedaled but one got through; that one sent him staggering, the follow-on knocked him down and out. The referee didnât even start a count, waving the fight off instantly because Brooks was clearly not going to regain his feet.
âI am happy with the win and the knockout, I told everyone I would bring the bombs and drama and I did that,â he said afterwards.
âSomebody said I looked a little disappointed afterwards and maybe I did. I have been working a lot of new things and I wanted to show them off but I didnât really get the chance. But I reminded people who I am and next time I can show those new tricks off.â
