'I was definitely more nervous this time' — Cassper on winning his bout against Priddy Ugly

Celeb City's exhibition fight between Cassper Nyovest and Priddy Ugly had the rappers discovering a new-found respect for each other for having the guts to get into the ring together.

Nearly 5,000 people gathered to watch the bout at the Sun Arena in Pretoria on Saturday with Lucas Radebe, sports, arts and culture minister Nathi Mthethwa and transport minister Fikile Mbalula among the guests in attendance.

In the first two-minute round, Cassper knocked out Priddy Ugly to become the champion of the evening. 

“Experience, skills and sticking to the plan made me win. Staying calm and not rushing. We are back on top; that's what they know us for. I win so much that they get excited when I lose,” Cassper told TshisaLIVE.

After losing to NaakMusiQ in April this year, Cassper said he had a different strategy this time. 

“In my last fight I rushed and I got tired. I was definitely more nervous this time around. I was nervous before it was time to get into the ring.” 

Before their boxing match, Cassper admits that Priddy Ugly was in good shape and his confidence during his training sessions had intimidated him.

“As much as I was 20kg heavier than him, It also works against me because I'm slower than him and he was definitely fitter than me. I had to lose 17kg because of the contract, so it was harder for me to train.

“I think the weight thing was a bit unfair, so I'd like to see him fight someone his size as far as weight [is concerned]. I think he'd make a great fighter, he's very athletic. I respect him for that.”

Priddy, who has done kick-boxing in the past, said his strategy was to weaken Cassper's power by tiring him out. Though things did not go his way, he was still proud of himself and his team.

“I lost fair and square. For me it's a lesson to go back in there and work harder,” he said.

The rapper recalls having had his father and trainers advised him against participating in the “mismatch” and after training for six hours weekly for the past three months, Priddy admits he was disappointed to lose the fight so quickly. 

“When someone much heavier than you hits you in the head, it doesn't matter how prepared you are, you'll go dizzy. When he landed blows on me it did affect me. The great thing I'm blessed about is that I'm not hurt. He knocked me down and I'm still here with no bruises.”

Having made the trends list on several occasions, Priddy said he was more than prepared for trolling that could come his way.

“I think what's beneficial for me is that I've had critics my whole life, so all of that has been practised for this moment. The biggest teams in the world lose. Boxing is not something I want to stop doing,

“My wife has been so supportive from the beginning. We'll make it through it, it's nothing that's going to affect us.”

Cassper has now challenged nemesis AKA, Big Zulu and NaakmusiQ to another fight to win the belt.