Ward-Fuzile IBF eliminator joins Haney-Linares on May 29

The pair are ranked 3rd and 4th, respectively, by the IBF

Rumble Africa Promotions, who represent super featherweight contender Azinga Fuzile, have revealed that their charge will face Martin Joseph Ward in an IBF title eliminator on Golden Boy’s May 29th Devin Haney-Jorge Linares card.

Ward (24-1-2, 11 KO), who boasts well-aged wins over Maxi Hughes and Anthony Cacace, has won five straight since a 2018 stoppage loss to James Tennyson. The most notable saw him take a split decision over Devis Boschiero, while the most recent saw him run roughshod over Jesus Amparan in February of last year.

Fuzile (14-1, 8 KO) fights for the first time since a controversial 2019 loss to Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov. “Golden Boy” was thoroughly in control of the fight, only to suffer a comeback knockout loss in the 10th round that grew suspect when footage revealed Rakhimov’s corner apparently giving him smelling salts. Despite that and South African authorities subsequently finding a whole mess of drugs in Team Rakhimov’s hotel room, the IBF let the result stand and gave Fuzile an eliminator while Rakhimov went on to challenge JoJo Diaz.

He’d planned a stay-busy bout in December, but that ultimately fell through.

I’m real high on Fuzile and Ward has looked plenty sharp lately, so there’s a lot to like about this matchup. Should be fun.