{"id":218797,"date":"2019-09-26T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2019-09-26T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/germistoncitynews.co.za\/218797\/coxen-is-fighting-ready\/"},"modified":"2019-09-26T19:50:19","modified_gmt":"2019-09-26T17:50:19","slug":"coxen-is-fighting-ready","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/develop.citizen.co.za\/germiston-city-news\/sports-news\/2019\/09\/26\/coxen-is-fighting-ready\/","title":{"rendered":"Coxen is fighting ready"},"content":{"rendered":"

Elsburg-based fighter Pietie \u2018Thunder\u2019 Coxen is ready to make only his second appearance in the EFC hexagon for 2019, after an injury forced him to pull out of his previous fight.<\/p>\n

He will be facing Dino \u2018The Lion\u2019 Bagattin, for the first time, in a welterweight bout on the main fight card of EFC 82 at Carnival City, this Saturday.<\/p>

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Coxen is set to step into the ring at 8pm and is feeling confident he will win his fight.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was scheduled to fight Bagattin at EFC 81 but due to the injury, which happened only 14 days ahead of the fight, I had to pull out,\u201d Coxen explained.<\/p>

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\u201cAfter that happened, Bagattin said I had pulled out of the fight because I was scared, which couldn\u2019t be further from the truth.<\/p>\n

\u201c I will take on anyone in my weight division.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo with all his smack talk in mind I cannot wait to get into the hexagon and set things straight.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe hits hard, but I think I hit harder.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has good ground technique, I think mine is better.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is definitely going to be a good fight and I really am looking forward to it.\u201d<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0Thunder, lightning and a knock-out<\/a><\/h4>\n

Though Coxen, who doesn\u2019t mind being the underdog, is raring to go, the fight will be bittersweet for him as it comes only a few months after the death of his close friend Roelof \u2018Barries\u2019 Barnard who died tragically after he was electrocuted at a substation in Stark Road, Estera.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am dedicating my fight to Barries, who really was a role model to me,\u201d Coxen said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI looked up to him.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe always knew just what to say to help me focus and get my head into the game.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter every fight he\u2019d call and talk to me about the fight and ask how it went., I miss him and his words.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coxen explained that he was not in a good head space ahead of the fight but visiting Barnard\u2019s cross in Stark Road helped him feel better.<\/p>\n

\u201cI had a chat with him and I feel he is with me 100 per cent as I head into this fight,\u201d said Coxen.<\/p>\n

Training has been focused on stamina and fitness to allow Coxen time to heal from his injury.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe did work around the injury. I am feeling good and ready and I\u2019m not worried,\u201d said Coxen.<\/p>\n

ALSO READ:\u00a0EFC hexagon to see two Germiston fighters compete<\/a><\/h4>\n

Ahead of the fight Coxen once again thanked his family, friends, coaches, fans, supporters and the Germiston community as a whole who have stuck with him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am very lucky to have the supporters I have. They have gotten me through some difficult days,\u201d said Coxen.<\/p>\n

\u201cI am especially grateful for my young fans because they push me to be the best I can be so that I am a good role model for them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Coxen is ready to bring the thunder to the EFC hexagon.<\/p>\n

Hav<\/strong>e a story?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor)\u00a0<\/span>germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong>or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor)\u00a0<\/span>leighh@caxton.co.za<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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