Akeem Ennis Brown has been holding his own against a boxer tipped for the top as his next fight looms.
The Gloucester talent, known as ‘Riiddy’ to his circle of fans, is practising in the gym with welterweight and Zimbabwe born Tamuka Muchapondwa.
Calling himself a future world champion on his Twitter page, the 2012 GB Amateur Boxing Championships silver medalist is yet to be defeated in 13 fights and has upped the county star’s game ahead of Saturday’s local clash with Chris Adaway.
“Tamuka Mucha is a very good fighter and it has been said he’ll do great things,” said Ennis Brown’s coach Jon Pitman.
“Him and Riiddy have been doing some amazing sparring. It doesn’t come much better to be honest with you.
“If you are not on the top of your game you are going to get hurt. The level Riiddy is sparring at is well above what he’s boxing at.
“That’s a reflection of just how good he is.”
Adaway, tasked with dishing out Riiddy’s first defeat on the ‘There’s A Storm Coming’ bill at Tewkesbury School, has won four fights and lost 17.
Pitman believes his young prodigy will send him packing, but they will give him the respect he deserves despite his blemished record.
“Chris Hadaway is an exciting boxer and it will be a good show,” Pitman continued.
“He’s a former ABA semi-finalist and has a good team behind him. Compared to his last opponent, when the fight didn’t really catch fire, it’ll be completely different.
“I think people are going to be shocked by what they are going to see from Riiddy. He’s going to really go for it.”
Adam Harper, a former pupil of Tewkesbury School, faces Lithuania’s Daividas Sajauka for the middleweight International Challenge Belt on the night.
Old Hill’s Manny Zaber and Gloucester lightweight Andy ‘Thunder’ Harris also feature.
Tickets, priced at £50 VIP and £30 unreserved standard, are available by calling 07772466790.