IN trying to analyse today’s World Boxing Council (WBC) double-header card in which Zambia’s sensational “Stinging Queen” Catherine Phiri pits her silky skills against German Pia Mazelanik for the silver bantamweight belt, while Charles Manyuchi tries to remove the ‘0’ from Patrick Allotey’s perfect record to take the vacant international welterweight title, I have a few words for the two Oriental Quarries protégés (Cathy and Manyuchi).

These words do not come from me, actually, but from one of their own, 10-time World Champion, five- division World Champion and WBC Welterweight champion

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

He was quoted this past week as he spoke about his own May 3 face-off against Marcos Maidana, as saying boxing is an unpredictable sport.

He said: “Maidana is a young, strong and tough competitor. He’s a guy that I can’t overlook. You can never take any fighter for granted because anything can happen (in the ring). I believe in dedicating myself to my craft.

This is my 18th year in the sport. I’ve had a strong run… I truly believe in taking one fight at a time.”

I particularly found the following a gem: “I’m a strong critic of myself. I’m really hard on myself. Even with the Canelo fight and the fight before that fight, I wasn’t happy with my performance. I haven’t reached my peak yet. I know I can do better.

“… I haven’t been able to bring my ‘A-game’ totally out. I’ve beaten fighters with my ‘C-Game’ and with my ‘D-Game,’ but I haven’t been able to beat anybody with my ‘A-Game.’’

On paper, African Boxing Union and Women International Boxing Federation champ Catherine would appear to have an easy fight, going by her opponent’s record 19-13-5 (KO1)-1 (KO 1) with a weak 5.26 per cent KO ratio.

If Catherine can reproduce the form she displayed in her last three fights against Natalie Forget, Leslie Domingo and tough Ugandan Toma Hawa Babrye whom she stopped, I am confident she could repeat the act on the German, who despite her unimpressive record, looked very athletic and every bit ready and fit for the fight.

Catherine boxes well, while her speed of hand, movement and focus are unquestionable. Against Forget, she suffered from stamina problems and appeared to be tiring over the stretch, but coach Mike “Weaver’’ Zulu has dealt with that and now the question is, will Mazelanik be able to land anything significant  on an elusive foe? We won’t know until the first bell goes.

Whatever happens, I have this sneaky feeling that Catherine will be changing her status today in a career-defining victory. The fight could go the distance, but if the ferocity and variety of punches in bunches Cathy is wont to give her opponent materialize, I doubt if Mazelanik won’t be overwhelmed anywhere north of round six.

Soft-spoken Allotey who made his professional debut in 2006 has said Manyuchi is no match for him and he obviously can back up that claim with his impressive 30-0 (KO 24) record iced with an incredible 80 per cent KO ratio.

Allotey, a KO specialist, knocks out his opponents early and those who have resisted can last up to near the end. Only six have managed to go the distance against him, including Burkinabe Patrice Toke, whom Manyuchi dethroned in his Ouagadougou backyard in five rounds to take the ABU title.

What makes Allotey-Manyuchi an intriguing match-up is that Manyuchi admires Sugar Ray Leonard’s and Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hearns’ styles.

If you saw the way he battered Isaac Sowah, last year, in three rounds, it’s safe to say although Allotey is not Sowah, he hasn’t faced anyone like Manyuchi. Manyuchi has that killer instinct and quick to capitalize on chances.

True, Manyuchi has two losses on this record, but I believe that’s in the long distant past and his sole focus is to change his fortunes by taking the lucrative title. Both Catherine’s and

Manyuchi’s fight will be quite intriguing, but if the boxers have heard Mayweather’s advice: don’t be satisfied with your last performances. Aim to reach your peak today by winning impressively!

mwale.simon@yahoo.co.uk / 0966 755 574