Golden Gloves has made no secret of its intention to match former MMA fighters Wade Groth and Boyd Allen.
With Allen having made a successful pro boxing debut on Sunday, those plans will now be fast-tracked. In December, Allen will be matched against former Groth victim Wynand Mulder, who has far more experience, having boxed 11 times.
With Groth since elevated to official SA champion, Barend van Rooyen having relinquished the title, Allen might well find himself challenging for the national title as soon as 2019.
At 28, he doesn’t have time on his side, but he’s also a former amateur boxer and mixed martial artist, so a ring is where he is most comfortable and has sufficient experience.
“Bring it on,” said Colin Nathan, trainer of Allen, who wasn’t at Emperors Palace on Sunday – he was looking after Azinga Fuzile’s corner in East London – but took note of the many encouraging reports on Allen’s performance.
“Boyd loved the experience and I gather he really made an impression. That’s testament to the hard work he put in,” said Nathan.
Said promoter Rodney Berman: “Boyd boxed like a polished pro, so I have no issue throwing him in against Mulder, who always comes to fight. If he gets through that, we may take a look at Groth.”
Interestingly, the pair fought for the EFC lightweight title four years ago with Allen winning via first-round submission.
This, of course, will have no bearing on what might happen in a boxing ring, but ought to add spice to a fight that will surely percolate nicely in the coming months.
