Zack Mwekassa
{{short description|Congolese boxer and kickboxer}}
{{Infobox martial artist
| name = Zack Mwekassa
| image =
| other_names = The Black Panther, Le Guerrier Noir (The Black Warrior)
| nationality = Congolese
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1984|1|20}}
| birth_place = Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
| fighting_out_of = Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa
| height = {{convert|1.83|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| weight_kg = 95
| weight_class = Cruiserweight (boxing)
Heavyweight (kickboxing)
| style = Boxing
| stance = orthodox et racistes
| reach_in =
| team =
| years_active = 2006 – present (boxing)
2014 – present (kickboxing)
| box_win = 15
| box_kowin = 14
| box_loss = 4
| box_koloss = 3
| box_draw = 0
| kbox_nc = 0
| kickbox_win = 15
| kickbox_kowin = 13
| kickbox_loss = 4
| kickbox_koloss = 2
| kickbox_draw = 0
| kickbox_nc =
| mma_kowin =
| mma_subwin =
| mma_koloss =
| mma_subloss =
| mma_draw =
| mma_nc =
| boxrec = 357978
| sherdog =
| relatives =
| updated = 19 September 2015
}}
Zack Mwekassa (born 20 January 1984) is a Congolese boxer and kickboxer who fights in GLORY. He is a former Interim Glory Light Heavyweight Champion.
As of 1 October 2017, he is ranked the #4 light-heavyweight in the world by CombatPress.com.{{cite web|url=http://combatpress.com/2017/10/combat-press-kickboxing-rankings-october-2017/|title=Combat Press Kickboxing Rankings: October 2017|work=combatpress.com}}
Biography
Mwekassa is the son of a chemist and his two brothers are lawyers. In addition to his fighting career, he is trained as a computer network engineer. He and his family were displaced from their native DR Congo during the Second Congo War that began in 1998.{{cite web|url=http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2014/5/2/5675474/mwekassa-i-come-from-a-land-of-war|title=Zack Mwekassa: 'I come from a land of war'|publisher=bloodyelbow.com |author=John Joe O'Regan|date=2014-05-02|access-date=2014-05-04}}
Career
=Boxing=
Mwekassa began his professional boxing career at the age of 22 in 2006 in South Africa. In the first 2 years of his career, he amassed an undefeated streak of 8-0 with all but one of the wins coming by way of TKO or KO. He experienced his first losses back-to-back in 2008 and 2009, before going on another 5-0 undefeated streak...
=Kickboxing=
Mwekassa began training in South Africa in 2003 with elite kickboxers, including the late Mike Bernardo. His trainers intended him for the K-1 circuit but the opportunities were scarce, so he moved into professional boxing in 2006.
In 2014, Mwekassa resurrected his interest in kickboxing. He saw GLORY on television and approached the company about fighting for them. He soon found himself scheduled to face popular MMA and kickboxing fighter Pat Barry at Glory 16: Denver. In what many considered a shocking upset, he knocked out Barry with an incredible uppercut in the first round.
Mwekassa returned to the Glory ring on November 7, 2014 at Glory 18: Oklahoma.{{cite web |title=GLORY 18 Heads to Oklahoma on Nov. 7, Features Kiria-Van Roosmalen |url=https://combatpress.com/2014/09/glory-18-heads-to-oklahoma-on-nov-7-features-kiria-van-roosmalen/ |website=combatpress.com |access-date=20 October 2020}} He was part of a four-man, one-night tournament to decide the next Light Heavyweight title contender. Mwekassa started in impressive fashion as he knocked out Brian Collette in the semifinals. In the finals, he faced Saulo Cavalari. After a competitive back-and-forth two rounds, Mwekassa lost in the third round due to a head kick.{{cite web |title=GLORY 18 'Return to Glory' Results: Van Roosmalen Edges Kiria, Cavalari Captures Tourney |url=https://combatpress.com/2014/11/glory-18-return-to-glory-results/ |website=combatpress.com |access-date=20 October 2020}}
Mwekassa had a rematch with Cavalari for the vacant Glory Light Heavyweight Championship at Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 on September 19, 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.mmamania.com/2015/7/30/9074967/bellator-142-dynamite-fight-card-zack-mwekassa-vs-saulo-cavalari-rematch-glory-lkickboxing|title=Bellator 142: 'Dynamite' fight card gets Zack Mwekassa vs Saulo Cavalari rematch for vacant GLORY light heavyweight title|publisher=mmamania.com|author=Michael Stets|date=2015-07-30|access-date=2015-08-06}} He lost the fight via majority decision.
He fought Mourad Bouzidi for the interim Glory Light Heavyweight title.{{cite web |title=Mwekassa: 'Bouzidi will find out on Saturday how slick my boxing is' |url=https://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/6/22/12003962/glory-31-amsterdam-zack-mwekassa-interview-bouzidi-boxing-kickboxing-knockout-power |website=bloodyelbow.com |access-date=20 October 2020}} He defeated Bouzidi by a first round TKO.{{cite web |title=Video: Zack Mwekassa destroys Mourad Bouzidi in first round to win GLORY interim light heavyweight title |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2016/6/27/12039792/video-zack-mwekassa-destroys-mourad-bouzidi-win-glory-title-mma |website=mmamania.com |date=27 June 2016 |access-date=20 October 2020}} Mwekassa fought the reigning Glory champion Artem Vakhitov during Glory 35, losing by TKO in the third round.{{cite web |title=GLORY 35 results: Artem Vakhitov finishes Zack Mwekassa, unifies Light Heavyweight title |url=https://www.mmamania.com/2016/11/5/13536512/glory-35-results-artem-vakhitov-defeats-zack-mwekassa-by-tko-to-unify |website=mmamania.com |date=5 November 2016 |access-date=20 October 2020}}
Titles
- WBF International Cruiserweight Title
- ABU all Africa heavyweight title
- Interim Glory Light Heavyweight Championship (1 time)
Professional boxing record
{{BoxingRecordSummary
|nc=
|ko-wins=14
|ko-losses=3
|dec-wins=
|dec-losses=1
|dq-wins=1
|dq-losses=
|draws=
}}
{{clear}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; font-size:95%" |
| {{abbr|No.|Number}}
!Result !Record !Opponent !Type !Round, time !Date !Location !Notes |
|---|
| 19
|{{yes2}}Win |15–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|KEN}} Bernard Adie |TKO |7 (12) |28 Jun 2014 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|DRC}} Grand Hôtel, Kinshasa, D.R. Congo}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant African heavyweight title}} |
| 18
|{{no2}}Loss |14–4 |align=left|{{flagicon|RUS}} Dmitry Kudryashov |KO |1 (10), {{small|0:50}} |30 Nov 2013 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RUS}} Triumph, Lyubertsy, Russia}} |align=left| |
| 17
|{{yes2}}Win |14–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|DRC}} Mugabon Mudimba |KO |5 (6) |31 May 2013 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Southern Sun, Cape Town, South Africa}} |align=left| |
| 16
|{{no2}}Loss |13–3 |align=left|{{flagicon|RSA}} Danie Venter |TKO |4 (10), {{small|2:23}} |22 Sep 2012 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa}} |align=left|{{small|Super 8 "Last Man Standing" Tournament: cruiserweight semi-final}} |
| 15
|{{yes2}}Win |13–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|RSA}} Tshepang Mohale |TKO |1 (8), {{small|1:21}} |16 Jun 2012 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa}} |align=left|{{small|Super 8 "Last Man Standing" Tournament: cruiserweight quarter-final}} |
| 14
|{{yes2}}Win |12–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|DRC}} Kizito Ruhamnye |KO |1 (8), {{small|2:59}} |23 Nov 2011 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa}} |align=left| |
| 13
|{{yes2}}Win |11–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|RSA}} Thabiso Mchunu |TKO |6 (8), {{small|1:45}} |24 Sep 2011 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa}} |align=left| |
| 12
|{{yes2}}Win |10–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|DRC}} Alex Mbaya |TKO |1 (6) |10 May 2011 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa}} |align=left| |
| 11
|{{yes2}}Win |9–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|GHA}} Epiphanie Pipi |RTD |3 (8), {{small|3:00}} |1 Mar 2011 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa}} |align=left| |
| 10
|{{no2}}Loss |8–2 |align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Paul Jennette |SD |8 |10 Oct 2009 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|USA}} Coliseum Complex Events Center, Greensboro, North Carolina, U.S.}} |align=left|{{small|For {{abbr|UBC|Universal Boxing Council}} Intercontinental cruiserweight title}} |
| 9
|{{no2}}Loss |8–1 |align=left|{{flagicon|HUN}} József Nagy |TKO |6 (12), {{small|1:55}} |5 Sep 2008 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Graceland Hotel Casino, Secunda, South Africa}} |align=left|{{small|For vacant WBF (Foundation) cruiserweight title}} |
| 8
|{{yes2}}Win |8–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} Luzimar Gonzaga |KO |1 (10), {{small|2:46}} |1 Feb 2008 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Graceland Hotel Casino, Secunda, South Africa}} |align=left| |
| 7
|{{yes2}}Win |7–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|ZIM}} Chamunorwa Gonorenda |TKO |2 (6) |2 Nov 2007 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Indoor Sports Centre, KwaMashu, South Africa}} |align=left| |
| 6
|{{yes2}}Win |6–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|CGO}} Gino Betoko |RTD |2 (12) |6 Jul 2007 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Carousel Casino, Hammanskraal, South Africa}} |align=left|{{small|Won vacant WBF (Foundation) Intercontinental cruiserweight title}} |
| 5
|{{yes2}}Win |5–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|GHA}} Moyoyo Mensah |TKO |3 (6) |11 May 2007 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Sasol Recreation Centre, Secunda, South Africa}} |align=left| |
| 4
|{{yes2}}Win |4–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|DRC}} Nsitu Mbaya |KO |1 (6) |16 Mar 2007 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Civic Hall, Benoni, South Africa}} | |
| 3
|{{yes2}}Win |3–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|RSA}} Basil Ray |TKO |2 (4) |27 October 2006 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Wembley Indoor Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa}} | |
| 2
|{{yes2}}Win |2–0 |align=left|{{flagicon|RSA}} Mark Strydom |DQ |1 (?) |5 Sep 2006 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa}} |align=left|{{small|Deliberate head-butt}} |
| 1
|{{yes2}}Win |1–0 | align=left|{{flagicon|RSA}} Bully Muravha |KO |3 (4), {{small|1:22}} |12 May 2006 |align=left|{{small|{{flagicon|RSA}} Sasol Sports Arena, Secunda, South Africa}} | |
Kickboxing record (Incomplete)
{{Kickboxing record start|title=Kickboxing record (Incomplete)|record=15 Wins (13 (T)KO's, 1 Decision), 4 Losses, 0 Draws}}
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 2016-11-05 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|RUS}} Artem Vakhitov || Glory 35: Nice || Nice, France || TKO (3 knockdowns) || 2 || 2:23 || 15–4–0
|-
! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|For the unified Glory Light Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 2016-06-25 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|TUN}} Mourad Bouzidi || Glory 31: Amsterdam || Amsterdam, Netherlands || TKO (3 knockdowns) || 1 || 1:47 || 15–3–0
|-
! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|Wins the interim Glory Light Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 2016-04-16 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|FRA}} Zinedine Hameur-Lain || Glory 29: Copenhagen || Copenhagen, Denmark || Decision (unanimous) || 3 || 3:00 || 14–3–0
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 2015-09-19 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} Saulo Cavalari || Bellator MMA & Glory: Dynamite 1 || San Jose, California, USA || Decision (majority) || 5 || 3:00 || 13–3–0
|-
! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|For the vacant Glory Light Heavyweight Championship.}}
|-
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 2015-06-05 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Carlos Brooks || Glory 22: Lille || Lille, France || KO (left hook) || 1 || 1:58 || 13–2–0
|-
|- bgcolor="#FFBBBB"
| 2014-11-07 || Loss ||align=left|{{flagicon|BRA}} Saulo Cavalari || Glory 18: Oklahoma, Final || Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA || KO (high kick) || 3 || 0:20 || 12–2–0
|-
! style=background:white colspan=9 |{{small|For the Glory Light Heavyweight Contender Tournament.}}
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 2014-11-07 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Brian Collette || Glory 18: Oklahoma, Semi Finals || Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA || KO (left hook) || 2 || 0:45 || 12–1–0
|- bgcolor="#CCFFCC"
| 2014-05-03 || Win ||align=left|{{flagicon|USA}} Pat Barry || Glory 16: Denver, Reserve Match || Broomfield, Colorado, USA || KO (left uppercut) || 1 || 2:33 || 11–1–0
|-
|-
| colspan=9 | Legend: {{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win |border=1px solid #CCFFCC}} {{legend2|#FFBBBB|Loss |border=1px solid #FFBBBB}} {{legend2|#c5d2ea|Draw/No contest |border=1px solid #c5d2ea}} {{legend2|White|Notes |border=1px solid #AAAAAA}}
{{end}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://glorykickboxing.com/fighters/zack-mwekassa Profile] at GLORY
- [http://boxrec.com/list_bouts.php?human_id=357978&cat=boxer Boxing Record] at BoxRec
- Michael Stets (2014-05-02) Volcanoes, snake bites and gun shot and gunshot wounds: [http://www.mmamania.com/2014/5/2/5673474/volcanoes-killer-snakes-gunshot-wounds-glory-16-interview-zack-mwekessa-kickboxing A conversation with GLORY 16 heavyweight Zack Mwekessa]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mwekassa, Zack}}
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo male boxers
Category:African Boxing Union champions
Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo male kickboxers
Category:Heavyweight kickboxers
Category:Martial artists from Kinshasa
Category:21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo sportsmen