On November 7, GLORY World Series â the worldâs number one kickboxing league â detonates back into action out of the Grand Hotel and Resort in Shawnee, Oklahoma, for GLORY 18: Return to Glory.
The card will feature a light-heavyweight, four-man elimination contest, with the winner becoming the next challenger for GLORYâs World Title in that division.
The Elimination Comprises:
Bout A:Â Zack Mwekassa (11-1 with 10 KOs) vs. Brian Collette (21-2 with 18 KOs).
Bout B:Â Saulo Cavalari (28-2 with 18 KOs) vs. TBC.
Mr Mwekassa, what is the name âZackâ short for?
My birth-name is Zackmaboombanozor Kaboom-Kaboom Al Mwekassa, so I try keep it short and cool as âZackâ (LAUGHS) of course not. Zack is a diminutive for Zacharie. And Zacharie means âGod rememberedâ. Only people that know me from primary school call me Zacharie â ooh, and my mum.
I believe you commenced your competitive kickboxing career at age 19 before switching trades to a more lucrative career in boxing. Do you still compete in boxing?
Yes, thatâs correct. I switch to boxing because there werenât any kickboxing opportunities at the time. So I had to make what I believe to have been a great settlement. Yes I still box: One month after Glory 16 I acquired a brand new belt in the ABU All-Africa Heavyweight Title. I am the current African Heavyweight Champion Ranked by the WBC, the most prestigious boxing sanctioning body.
Your nationality is listed as Congolese; where is your home base now?
I live in Johannesburg South Africa; I fly all over the world for different types of training depending on the actual need. I am Congolese, and a sport ambassador to my people. A war-torn country for the last 16 years, we needed somebody to carry the flag high. We needed a hero, we did.
You KOâd Pat Barry at GLORY 16; can you give a brief rundown of that fight, please, Zack?
The fight against Pat Barry is something I needed in my carrier at that specific moment: Nobody gave me credit prior to that fight.
âWell, yeah⊠He âZackâ is just an African dude living in Africa. We have never heard of him. Never seen him on television in the United States so he canât be anything frightening. Plus he is just a boxer, so a few low kicks should be enough to have him laying on his back holding his thigh in pain, and begging for mercy. He definitely donât have any training equipment, probably rides an elephant on his way to the gym. Come on, the guy lives in Africa.â
I just had to perform how I did for Africa and for the fight fans who believed in me. But I have a lot of respect for Pat Barry â he is a tremendous athlete and has achieved more than I have.
What was the reaction from GLORY officials after your victory against Pat?
They are still Traumatized!!! But happy for me.
Youâve also fought at heavyweight, but on November 7 youâll be competing in the light-heavyweight elimination. Are you comfortable at light heavyweight?
Yes, I am comfortable; I will just have more definition and a nicer six-pack. Good for ladies and gay men.
Do you intend competing at GLORY in both categories?
YES! I want Cro-cop, Mirko Cro-cop. You know⊠like Bond, James Bond.
Where are you training for November 7?
Secret.
Who are your coaches and training partners for GLORY 18?
TOP SECRET. But I will be more frightening than what youâve seen in Glory 16.
With a record of 11-1-0 and 10 of your wins coming via KO, do you think you have the best stats for winning this elimination?
I donât know what the other competitors record are⊠Records donât mean much for me. Do they have two arms, two legs and one head and a pair of testicles? OK, then thatâs the only record I need to know. We have a fight!
GLORY 18 will be a HORRENDOUS experience!
Your sponsors?
Oh yes; we are currently scouting for sponsorship. If youâre a fight fan, you have the means â your business needs a boost. This is the perfect opportunity. GLORY is televised worldwide, and itâs BIG. And besides, I am Zack Mwekassa the most vicious puncher Africa has ever produced.
Be In my Team! Give us a shout.
By Marc Wickert for Knucklepit.comÂ
