Johannesburg (South Africa) – The EFC AFRICA 20 post press conference was a chance for Capetonian athletes to take centre stage. Don ‘Magic Man’ Madge defeated Costa Ioannou for the lightweight belt, Gideon Drotschie bulldozed Danie van Heerden to take the interim light heavyweight title and Alain Ilunga put on a brutal kicking display to steamroll Markus Taljaard in his search for a title shot.
“Tonight Cape Town dominated, it was unbelievable,” said EFC AFRICA president Cairo Howarth to open proceedings.
“Anyone fighting at the top of their sport is going to be faced with criticism in the media. If you not prepared to deal with that then you shouldn’t be here,” said Don Madge, responding to the media pressure he had to deal with in the lead up to the event.
Costa Ioannou, Madge’s opponent, had two things to say about fights he’d like to see in the future.
“I’d like to see a rematch between Don and Leon [Mynhardt], and I hope they keep it standing, ” he said. On the subject of facing Cape Town based 1st stripe BJJ black belt Jadyson Costa, he added: “He’s been talking badly about me. He’s been calling me out on Facebook and Twitter. I think it would be a cool fight for the fans. If the fans want that fight, let’s do it. It’ll test me, it’ll test Jadyson and it’ll put on an awesome show.”
“JP said on Facebook that he thinks I’m an amateur,” said new interim light heavyweight champion Gideon Drotschie on facing champion JP Joubert. “I’d like to see him try and beat this amateur now. I’m very ready for JP and I hope he gets better soon.”
EFC AFRICA president Cairo Howarth confirmed that Joubert’s recovery is going well and that he’s expected back at training any day now, intimating that that fight is not far off.
EFC AFRICA returns to Carnival City for EFC AFRICA 21, presented by MusclePharm, taking place on July 25. All 13 bouts can be seen live at Carnival City and at Nu Metro cinemas throughout South Africa. Tickets on sale now at www.computicket.com. Tickets for the live broadcast to Nu Metro Cinemas available soon at www.numetro.com.
Broadcast information and full fight card available at efcafrica.com