Mohamed Mezouari defeated former Kunlun World Max champion, Dzianis Zuev at Kunlun Fight 56 on new year’s day in Sanya, China. The event saw the year long 64 man tournament come to a conclusion with Superbon Banchamek being crowned the new Kunlun World Max champion, after stopping Jomthong Chuwattana in the third round of an all Thai final.
However, instead of featuring in a reserve bout for the tournament finale against Zuev, Mezouari could have been one of the four semi-finalists on new year’s day, had he not been hospitalised during the fight week of, Kunlun Fight 54 due to a case of serious food poisoning. As a result, former GLORY lightweight champion, Davit Kiria who he was matched up with at the time, qualified by default for the Kunlun World Max because a last minute replacement opponent could not be found on such short notice.
However, the Dutch-Moroccan kickboxer wasn’t going to dwell on the obvious disappointment of ‘what if’ and instead accepted the opportunity quite swiftly when Kunlun approached him to fight in a reserve bout for the Kunlun World Max semi-finals.
The decision win over Zeuv was a good return to the ring after four months off for “Hamicha Moojte” who, was upbeat about the win, and is currently in ongoing negotiations with Kunlun for a new contract.
“It went good. I feel good after the fight. No injuries. Yeah, the first and third round he couldn’t do anything. He was too slow and I was a lot smarter than him but in the second round I let him work.”
“Now I am in Thailand with my team mates on holiday. I don’t have anything [planned] yet. I can’t say anything yet, it is still in negotiations with my trainer.”
Mezouari had previously fought for Enfusion Live before fighting in China for Kunlun. Interestingly, two other Enfusion fighters that had featured earlier in the Kunlun Max last year were: Tayfun Ozcan and Serginio Kanters. However, Enfusion have been snapping up a number of Kunlun exports which include the likes of Buakaw who, defeated Tian Xin via unanimous decision in the headline bout of Kunlun Fight 56; Yodslanklai, Superbon and Jomthong – who have all signed exclusive European fight deals for 2017 with the promotion.
Having won five of his six fights in 2016 (all for Kunlun), with his only loss by decision to current GLORY lightweight champion, Sitthichai Sitsongpeenong, in a very close fight in which, Sittchai was knocked down by Mezouari; could a possible return to Enfusion be on the cards since Kunlun have yet to renew Hamicha’s contract? Only time will tell whats in store for this outstanding talent.
