Hot prospect Thulani Mbenge.

With his dazzling smile and handsome looks, Thulani Mbenge looks every inch a model.

Except he’s not. He’s a fighter, and a very accomplished one at that. Continue reading →

Gennady Golovkin dominating David Lemieux. Pic: Courtesy Rich Schultz/AP

Boxing superstar and unified middleweight world champion Gennady “GGG” Golovkin, (35-0, 32 KOs) and consensus number one pound-for-pound fighter in the World, WBC flyweight world champion Roman “Chocolatito” Gonzalez, (45-0, 38 KOs) top the 2016 “Best Fighter” category for this year’s prestigious ESPY AWARDS, taking place in Los Angeles on July 13. Continue reading →

Shaun Ness and trainer Colin Nathan.

There’s a new headliner for the “Prospects at the Palace” tournament on July 24.

SA welterweight champion Shaun Ness’ original opponent has been replaced by No 5-ranked Ayanda Mthembu. Continue reading →

Hekkie Budler, right, will return to the ring in October.

Golden Gloves has delivered again!

The promotions company announced this morning that former dual world champion Hekkie Budler will make his comeback against dangerous tyro Siyabonga Siyo. Continue reading →

Ryno Liebenberg going toe–to-toe against Erik Skoglund recently.

Local hard man Ryno Liebenberg may have lost his last outing in Sweden, a bloody, bruising 12-rounder against Erik Skoglund, but so impressed were the Europeans, they have asked him back again. Continue reading →

SA welterweight champion Shaun Ness heads the ‘Prospects at the Palace’ tournament on July 24.

Four fights, four rematches!

Golden Gloves has ensured there will be additional needle with confirmation of four of the fights on the “Prospects at the Palace” bill at Emperors palace on the afternoon of July 24. Continue reading →

Given the early success of the cruiserweight “Super Four”, promoter Rodney Berman is planning to put together a similar tournament for top welterweights.

Berman said that the idea had percolated for a while, but he was convinced to start putting things together after the recent opening round of the cruiserweight contests. Continue reading →

Shaun Ness with the HotBox cornermen during his first fight against Ntuthoko Memela.

SA welterweight champion Shaun Ness will make his first title defence against Ntuthuko Memela in the headliner of “Prospects at the Palace III” at Emperors Palace on July 24.

It’s a rematch of their thrilling fight in 2014 that went down to the wire and was ruled a draw. Continue reading →

Golden Gloves has confirmed that Xolisani Ndongeni’s next fight will take place in Las Vegas in coming months.

His US debut will be on the popular ShoBox network and will open the IBO champion up to a vast new audience. A shortlist of challengers is being considered with an announcement shortly. Continue reading →

Kevin Lerena digs in against Roberto Bolonti on Saturday. Pic: N-SQUARED

Putting aside their self-interest, both Rodney Berman and Brian Mitchell believe that Kevin Lerena has the beating of Micki Nielsen.

The pair will clash in the mouth-watering “Super Four” final in October. Continue reading →

Rodney Berman with Super Four finalists Kevin Lerena and Micki Nielsen. Pic: N-SQUARED

Given the scale and class of Simphiwe Khonco’s IBO triumph on Saturday, Rodney Berman has already opened negotiations for a mega-fight down the line.

He has spoken to top South American fight against Marcelo Di Croce about getting Khonco in the mix for the IBF belt, held by Mexico’s Jose Argumedo. Continue reading →

Simphiwe Khonco gets in a stinging right cross on his way to claiming the vacant IBO title against Siyabonga Siyo on Saturday. Pic: N-SQUARED

In a high-quality fight that topped the bill at Emperors Palace on Saturday, Simphiwe Khonco put on a master class against whipper-snapping challenger Siyabonga Siyo.

While many believed that Siyo would have too many moves and too much energy for the older Khonco, it was the teacher who showed the pupil the way on his way to claiming the vacant IBO strawweight championship against the undefeated Siyo. Continue reading →