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Mixed Martial Arts fighter, Boyd Allen has grown from strength to strength and climbed the ladder in EFC Africa to become one of the top contenders to enter the hexagon. Tomorrow night (25 July) at EFC Africa 21 Boyd will be taking on wrestler Hanru Botha with the goal of taking the win and getting the chance to face more top ranked opponents, continuing his road to a title fight. We interviewed Boyd and talked to him about his upcoming fight and his MMA career.
Full name: Boyd Allen
Age: 24
Hometown: Springs, JHB
Fight record: 8W 2L
Submission of choice: Armbar
Gym: FFM
Sponsors: Ethos Solutions, Dotsure, Greenday Properties, Fighters Only, Sweat1000 and TTT Nutrition.
Facing Botha for the first time at EFC 21, how have you been preparing for this fight?
I’ve prepped for a wrestler but haven’t neglected any aspect at all.
How long have you been training for this fight and have you changed up anything in your training?
3 months, as I went straight from my last camp to this one. The intensity at which we train has gone up a level or two.
How do you foresee Botha’s fighting style and what will you be doing to combat this?
He’s a strong wrestler but I’m going in to make it a fight and do my best to work towards my strengths.
How do you think Botha will come into this fight?
He will come in aggressive and throw a few strikes to set up the takedown.
How do you see the fight ending?
That I can’t answer, never count your chickens before they hatch.
What can fans expect come fight night?
The fans will get to see me work my best to turn the fight in my favour.
What song will you be walking out and into the hexagon to?
The same as usual, “come together” by the Beatles.
“Well the time will come when ill get my shot but until then, ill just fight”
What goes through your mind on fight night leading up to your fight?
[Laughs] Far too many things to explain, but mostly worst case scenarios.
Who would you like to face next and why?
At the moment my only concern is this fight, I refuse to look past it.
What do you think needs to be done in order for you to finally get your title shot?
Well the time will come when ill get my shot but until then, ill just fight.
Pena has stated before that he won’t fight you because he knows you will beat him. He may have said this jokingly to hide the fact that a Fight Fit Militia athlete won’t fight another athlete from the same camp. What are the facts behind this?
He said that as a compliment and to help the fans understand that it would be awesomely difficult for us to face eachother in the cage. We are brothers, not just teammates and if asked I’d want him to keep his title as long as possible.
If Pena wins his next fight and retains his title, what would the plan then be for you to get your shot at the title?
Well its as simple as I won’t get a shot ,my only hope is to get top ranked opponents to build experience.
Do you have any words for Botha before fight night?
Let’s get it on and give the fans a fight to remember.
