MBABANE- Most guys buy flowers to win back an ex, but this Eswatini comedian had to dodge a barrage of leather in the squared circle instead.
Comedians ‘Pepe’ and ‘Ali-Group’ squared off yesterday, Saturday July 25 at the Embiveni Biggest Braai exhibition bout, fighting not just for only a cash prize, but also for a shot at romance.
Building up to the clash, ‘Pepe’ revealed he agreed to the comedy fight for reasons far beyond entertaining the crowd. He bore a personal grudge, disclosing he had never quite healed from ‘Ali-Group’ taking his girlfriend. He was convinced he could reclaim his lost love through boxing.
‘Ali-Group’ was also content to have the unusual prize at stake for their fight. He was full with confidence that he would flatten ‘Pepe’ and keep his lady love in his corner.
When fight day arrived, spectators were treated to a spectacle as the duo ditched their comedy jackets and got down to serious business inside the ropes. Explosive fists flew through the air in the three rounds of fight as the debutants traded leather like seasoned professionals.
It was in the opening round that the towering ‘Ali-Group’ unleashed a flurry of punches, to the delight of his fans. ‘Pepe’ found himself tasting the floor early, picking himself up looking a little rattled by the sheer intensity of the onslaught, before bravely answering the bell to face the music once more.
All the while, the gorgeous lady at the centre of the storm watched from ringside with bated breath, occasionally blushing and smiling as the punches rained down.
As the bout ticked into the later rounds, ‘Pepe’ won roars of encouragement from his fans that kept him going against the odds. He dug deep, weathering the storm and landing a few brutal counter-punches of his own to test ‘Ali-Group’s face.
After three bruising rounds, the judges’ scorecards rendered a landslide verdict. Before the official announcement was even made, the crowd, when asked, chanted ‘Pepe’s name. The referee raised his hand, announcing a 4-1 points’ victory to the absolute delight of the roaring fans.
True to form, ‘Pepe’ did not waste a single second of his glory. He bolted over to Sakhile Malinga, and swept her into a celebratory embrace, pocketing also E2 000 champion’s cash prize.
“I’m so happy and I don’t know what to say. I feel like crying. I have won cash plus a girlfriend, can you imagine?” an ecstatic ‘Pepe’ beamed after the fight.
“Honestly speaking, I don’t know how I managed to reach the end of the fight. It was tough, and I’m still shaking.”
