Golden Gloves

Rodney Berman’s first venture into professional boxing took place on August 29 1977, when Charlie Weir knocked out Bushy Bester at Wembley Ice Rink.

It was the first milestone in a long and illustrious 30-year stretch that has seen the Golden Gloves banner displayed throughout the world.

To date, the Golden Gloves consortium has produced over 50 world champions, the majority of whom were South Africans. Amazingly, they were all crowned since March 1990.

The list of world champions includes Welcome Ncita, Brian Mitchell, Vuyani Bungu,  Mbulelo Botile, Phillip Holiday, Jacob Matlala, Hawk Makepula, Zolani Petelo, Lindi Memani, Jacob Mofokeng, Corrie Sanders, Cassius Baloyi, Thulani “Sugarboy” Malinga, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Harry Simon (Namibia), Sebastiaan Rothmann, Dingaan Thobela, Jan Bergman, Phillip Ndou, Robert Norton (UK), Glen Catley (UK), Shane Mosley (USA), Hasim Rahman (USA), Silence Mabuza, Mhikiza Myekeni, Mzukisi Sikali, Zolani Marali, Thomas Mashaba, Isaac Hlatshwayo, Malcolm Klaassen, Nkosinathi Joyi, Albert Sosnowski, Mbwane Matumla (Tanzania), Takalani Ndlovu, Zolile Mbityi, Fernando Beltran (Mexico), Cristobal Cruz (Mexico), Tommy Oosthuizen, Hekkie Budler, Gideon Buthelezi, Tshifhiwa Munyai and Isaac Chilemba.

An astute former attorney based in Rosebank, Berman has promoted more than 2000 bouts and has received numerous State Presidents awards for his services to the sport.

He was also honoured on several occasions by the IBF (International Boxing Federation) as well as the Maccabi Institute of South Africa.

A man of vision, Berman, despite intense criticism by the prevailing SA boxing authorities, boldly ventured into new territorial waters when he became the first South African boxing promoter to work with the IBF in the mid-eighties. This occurred after Berman had journeyed to the United States in 1986 for in-depth talks with the then IBF president Bobby Lee.

It proved to be one of the soundest moves ever orchestrated in the history of South African boxing and the rewards weren’t long in coming. In fact, some of this country’s finest world champions, like Welcome Ncita, Vuyani Bungu, Phillip Holiday, Brian Mitchell, Mbulelo Botile, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Cassius Baloyi and Malcolm Klaassen, all went on to win IBF world championships.

Innovative by nature, Berman has constantly sought new goals and challenges and his reputation as the greatest promoter in the annals of South African pugilism has never affected his outgoing nature. If anything, he has remained unfazed by the reams of accolades that have come his way, preferring instead to praise his team of employees and fighters, all of whom hold him in the highest esteem.

Among the biggest tournaments Berman’s Golden Gloves Promotions have staged were the “Amabutho Empi” bill at the Carousel in 1997, the “Thunder in Africa” extravaganza at’ Carnival City in April 2001, and “All the King’s Men” at the same venue in May 2004.

More recently, in 2007, he hosted Laila Ali on a bill promoted as “Ali at the Palace”. He also facilitated the highly popular visit by former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson.

America’s volatile promoter Don King, who co-promoted “All the King’s Men”, probably summed it up best when he said: “Rodney’s pilot light has guided South African boxing to lush and nourishing pastures that have nurtured this nation of boxing-loving people.”

That the African continent has collectively benefited from Golden Gloves Promotion’s extensive activities abroad cannot be disputed and the Rosebank-based consortium have furthered the ambitions of a number of fighters from foreign countries such as Congo, Botswana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Malawi and Senegal.

Handshakes with overseas promoters such as Art Pelullo, Cedric Kushner, Don King, Adrian Ogun, Lou Di Bella and Barry Hearn have, over the years, paid rich dividends and South African boxing has reaped the rewards of Berman’s far-sighted alchemy.

Moreover, no other South African promotional group has equalled or maintained the remarkable success rate achieved by Golden Gloves Promotions.

• 1 April 24, 1982 Charlie Weir V Davey Moore, Ellis Park
• 2 October 30, 1986 Joe Manley V Gary Hinton; Hartford, Connecticut
• 3 November 22, 1986 Simon Skosana V Bernardo Pinango, Rand Stadium
• 4 May 6, 1989 Johnny Du Plooy V Francesco Damiani, Italy
• 5 January 27, 1989 Thulani Malinga V Graciano Rocchigiani
• 6 July 2, 1989 Brian Mitchell V Jackie Beard, Crotone
• 7 June 10, 1989 Fransie Badenhorst V Fabrice Benichou
• 8 September 28, 1989 Brian Mitchell V Irving Mitchell, Lewiston
• 9 October 21, 1990 Siza Makhatini V Glenn McCrory
• 10 March 10, 1990 Welcome Ncita V Fabrice Benichou, Tel Aviv
• 11 March 14, 1990 Brian Mitchell V Jackie Beard, Grosetto
• 12 June 6, 1990 Welcome Ncita V Ramon Cruz
• 13 September 29, 1990 Welcome Ncita V Gerardo Lopez
• 14 September 29, 1990 Brian Mitchell V Frankie Mitchell, Aosta
• 15 October 8, 1990 Vuyani Nene V Robert Quiroga
• 16 December 15, 1990 Thulani Malinga V Lindell Holmes
• 17 March 15, 1991 Brian Mitchell V Tony Lopez, Sacramento
• 18 September 13, 1991 Brian Mitchell V Tony Lopez, Sacramento
• 19 September 28, 1991 Welcome Ncita V Sugar Baby Rojas, St Vincent
• 20 June 15, 1991 Welcome Ncita V Hurly Snead, San Antonio
• 21 September 28, 1991 Welcome Ncita V Jose Rojas, Sun City
• 22 February 22, 1992 Jackie Gunguluza V John, John Molina
• 23 April 18, 1992 Welcome Ncita V Jesus Salud,Trievolo
• 24 December 2, 1992 Welcome Ncita V Kennedy McKinney, Tortoli
• 25 November 20, 1993 Orlando Canizales V Juvenal Berrerio?, Carousel
• 26 February 19, 1994 Kennedy McKinney V Jose Rincones, Carousel
• 27 March 19, 1994 Dingaan Thobela V Orzubek Nazarov, Carousel
• 28 May 21, 1994 Jaji Sibali V Julio Caesar Borboa, Carousel
• 29 April 16, 1994 Welcome Ncita V Kennedy McKinney, South Padre Island
• 30 August 20, 1994 Vuyani Bungu V Kennedy McKinney, Carousel
• 31 November 19, 1994 Vuyani Bungu V Felix Camacho, Carousel
• 32 December 10, 1994 Tony Lopez V Julio Caesar Chavez, Mexico
• 33 March 4, 1995 Vuyani Bungu V Mohamed Nurhuda, Carousel
• 34 April 29, 1995 Vuyani Bungu V Victor Llerena, FNB Stadium
• 35 April 29, 1995 Mbulelo Botile V Harold Mestre, FNB Stadium
• 36 July 4, 1995 Mbulelo Botile V Sam Stewart, Carousel
• 37 August 19, 1995 Phillip Holiday V Miguel Julio, Sun City
• 38 September 26, 1995 Vuyani Bungu V Laureano Ramirez, Carousel
• 39 November 4, 1995 Phillip Holiday V Rocky Martinez, Sun City
• 40 November 25, 1995 Mbulelo Botile V Reynaldo Hurtado, East London
• 41 January 23, 1996 Vuyani Bungu V John Lewus, Biloxi
• 42 February 11, 1996 Phillip Holiday V John Lark, Carousel
• 43 March 2, 1996 Thulani Malinga V Nigel Benn, Britain
• 44 March 16, 1996 Max Gomez V Anton Gilmore
• 45 April 2, 1996 Mbulelo Botile V Ancee Gedeon, Providence, Rhode Island
• 46 April 15, 1996 Vuyani Bungu V Pablo Osuna, Carousel
• 47 May 18, 1996 Phillip Holiday V Jeff Fenech, Melbourne
• 48 June 27, 1996 Mbulelo Botile V Bong Marlon Arlos, South Africa
• 49 July 20, 1996 Mtobeli Mhlope V Angel Manfredy, South Africa
• 50 November 5, 1996 Naas Scheepers V George Scott, Carousel
• 51 July 12, 1996 Thulani Malinga V Vincenzo Nardiello, Manchester
• 52 August 20, 1996 Vuyani Bungu V Jesus Salud, Carousel
• 53 September 14, 1996 Jan Bergman V Kostya Tszyu, Newcastle, Australia
• 54 October 19, 1996 Phillip Holiday V Joel Diaz, Wembley Johannesburg
• 55 November 15, 1996 Cassius Baloyi V Frankie Toledo, St Petersburg, USA
• 56 November 26, 1996 Mbulelo Botile V Aristead Clayton, Baton Rouge
• 57 December 21, 1996 Phillip Holiday V Ivan Robinson, Uncasville, USA
• 58 January 25, 1997 Peter Smith V John McLain, South Africa
• 59 February 8 1997 Giovanni Pretorius V Robin Reid, UK
• 60 March 3 1997 Jaji Sibali V Danny Romero,
• 61 March 22, 1997 Cassius Baloyi V Anton Gilmore, Johannesburg
• 62 April 5, 1997 Vuyani Bungu V Kennedy McKinney, Carousel
• 63 May 16, 1997 Phillip Holiday V Pete Taliaferro, Carousel
• 64 June 28,1997 Cassius Baloyi V Jose De Jesus Garcia, Nasrec
• 65 July 18, 1997 Jacob Matlala V Michael Carbajal, Las Vegas
• 66 July 19, 1997 Mbulelo Botile V Tim Austin, Nashville
• 67 August 2, 1997 Phillip Holiday V Shane Mosley, USA
• 68 August 16, 1997 Vuyani Bungu V Enrique Jupiter, Carousel
• 69 November 15, 1997 Corrie Sanders V Ross Puritty, Carousel
• 70 November 15, 1997 Vuyani Bungu V Arnel Barotillo, Carousel
• 71 November 15, 1997 Jacob Matlala V Luis Doria, Carousel
• 72 November 15, 1997 Cassius Baloyi V Lazlo Bognar, Carousel
• 73 December 19, 1997 Thulani Malinga V Robin Reid, London
• 74 December 27, 1997 Zolani Petelo V Ratanapol Sor Vorapin
• 75 February 20, 1998 Jacob Matlala V Jose Burgos, Baton Rouge
• 76 March 21, 1998 Zolani Petelo V Faisal Akbar, Carousel
• 77 March 27, 1998 Thulani Malinga V Ritchie Woodhall, Telford, UK
• 78 April 24, 1998 Cassius Baloyi V Sergio Liento, San Jose
• 79 May 16, 1998 Vuyani Bungu V Ernesto Grey, Carousel
• 80 June 12, 1998 Corrie Sanders V Bobby Czyz, Uncasville, USA
• 81 July 4, 1998 Jacob Matlala V Rick Magrano, Carousel
• 82 July 4, 1998 Zolani Petelo V Carmeolo Caceres, Carousel
• 83 August 22, 1998 Winky Wright V Harry Simon, Carousel
• 84 September 12, 1998 Jacob Mofokeng V Ryan Poletti, Pottsville
• 85 September 12, 1998 Lindi Memani V Juan Herrera, Pottsville
• 86 September 12, 1998 Cassius Baloyi V Domingo Damigella, Pottsville
• 87 September 22, 1998 Hawk Makepula V Rafael Torres, New York
• 88 October 31, 1998 Vuyani Bungu V Danny Romero, Atlantic City
• 89 December 19, 1998 Jacob Matlala V Rafael Orozco, St Petersburg, USA
• 90 February 6, 1999 (H)Vuyani Bungu V Victor Llerena, Carousel
• 91 February 27, 1999 Hawk Makepula V Lorenzo Trejo, Carousel
• 92 February 27, 1999 Phillip Holiday V Colin Dunne, UK
• 93 April 1, 1999 Jacob Mofokeng V Robert Norton, UK
• 94 April 1, 1999 Cassius Baloyi V Said Lawal, UK
• 95 April 24, 1999 Peter Malinga V Ahmed Kotiev, Germany
• 96 May 1, 1999 Kevin Lueshing V Harry Simon, US
• 97 May 29, 1999 Zolani Petelo V Erik Jamili, Carousel
• 98 May 29, 1999 Lindi Memani V Dennis Sabsal, Carousel
• 99 May 29, 1999 Lehlohonolo Ledwaba V John Michael Johnson, Carousel
• 100 June 26, 1999 Cassius Baloyi V Brian Carr, UK
• 101 July 2, 1999 Corrie Sanders V Jorge Valdes, UK
• 102 August 28, 1999 Hawk Makepula V Jose Laureano, Carousel
• 103 September 24, 1999 Sebastiaan Rothmann V Robert Norton, UK
• 104 September 25, 1999 Lehlohonolo Ledwaba V Edison Valencia, US
• 105 December 3, 1999 Zolani Petelo V Juanita Rubillar,
• 106 February 13, 2000 Jan Bergman V Zab Judah, US
• 107 February 22, 2000 Corrie Sanders V Al Cole, Carnival City
• 108 February 22, 2000 Hawk Makepula V Jacob Matlala, Carnival City
• 109 February 22, 2000 Sebastiaan Rothmann V Damon Reid, Carnival City
• 110 May 6, 2000 Glen Catley V Markus Beyer, Germany
• 111 March 11, 2000 Vuyani Bungu V Naseem Hamed, London
• 112 April 7, 2000 Lehlohonolo Ledwaba V Ernesto Grey, UK
• 113 May 20, 2000 Corrie Sanders V Hasim Rahman, US
• 114 May 24, 2000 Hawk Makepula V Marcos Obregon, Carnival City
• 115 May 24, 2000 Cassius Baloyi V Hector Lizarraga, Carnival City
• 116 May 24, 2000 Jacob Matlala V Peter Culshaw, Carnival City
• 117 June 2, 2000 Zolani Petelo V Mickey Cantwell, Scotland
• 118 June 17, 2000 Shane Mosley V Oscar De La Hoya, US
• 119 September 1, 2000 Glen Catley V Dingaan Thobela, Carnival City
• 120 September 1, 2000 Cassius Baloyi V Baudilio Hernandez, Carnival City
• 121 September 1, 2000 Sebastiaan Rothmann V Kelly Oliver –Carnival City
• 122 October 6, 2000 Lehlohonolo Ledwaba V Eduardo Alvarez, Kent, England
• 123 November 3, 2000 Cassius Baloyi V Steve Robinson, Wales
• 124 November 10, 2000 Hawk Makepula V Irene Pacheko, Las Vegas, USA
• 125 December 15, 2000 Dingaan Thobela V Dave Hilton, Montreal, Canada
• 126 February 17, 2001 Sebastiaan Rothmann V Adam Watt, Carnival City
• 127 February 17, 2001 Jacob Matlala V Todd Makelin, Carnival City
• 128 February 17, 2001 Lehlohonolo Ledwaba V Arnel Barotillo, Carnival City
• 129 April 6, 2001 Mbulelo Botile V Frankie Toledo, Las Vegas, USA
• 130 April 21/22, 2001 Lennox Lewis V Hasim Rahman, Carnival City
• 131 April 21/22, 2001 Lehlohonolo Ledwaba V Carlos Contreras, Carnival City
• 132 June 23, 2001 Lehlohonolo Ledwaba V Manny Pacquiao, Las Vegas
• 133 June 2, 2001 Jan Bergman V Guillermo Mosquera, Carnival City
• 134 July 25, 2001 Phillip Ndou V Carlos Rios, Carnival City
• 135 August 22, 2001 Cassius Baloyi V Jorge Paredes, Carousel
• 136 September 29, 2001 Jacob Matlala V Mickey Cantwell, England
• 137 November 17, 2001 Sebastiaan Rothmann V Crawford Ashley, England
• 138 January 26, 2002 Jan Bergman V Derek Roche, England
• 139 January 26, 2002 Hawk Makepula V Melvin Magramo, England
• 140 March 2, 2002 Phillip Ndou V Nikolai Eremeev, Carnival City
• 141 March 2, 2002 Sebastiaan Rothmann V Garry Delaney, Carnival City
• 142 March 2, 2002 Silence Mabuza V Jose Sanjuanelo, Carnival City
• 143 March 2, 2002 Stephen Carr V Pablo Sarmiento, Carnival City
• 147 March 2, 2002 Jacob Matlala V Juan Herrera, Carnival City
• 148 April 17, 2002 Cassius Baloyi V Tiger Ari, Carnival City
• 149 April 17, 2002 Mhikiza Myekeni V Jose Garcia, Carnival City
• 150 May 15, 2002 Jan Bergman V Pavel Melnikov, Carnival City
• 151 July 27, 2002 Lehlohonolo Ledwaba V Vuyani Bungu, Carnival City
• 152 September 14, 2002 Hawk Makepula V Mzukisi Sikali, Carnival City
• 153 October 26, 2002 Cassius Baloyi V Mbulelo Botile, Carnival City
• 154 October 26, 2002 Sebastiaan Rothmann V Anthony Bigeni, Carnival City
• 155 November 9, 2002 Silence Mabuza V Javier Torres, Oklahoma City
• 156 February 15, 2003 Mhikiza Myekeni V Wendyl Janiola, Polokwane
• 157 March 1, 2003 Jan Bergman V Jawaid Khaliq, Carnival City
• 158 March 8, 2003 Corrie Sanders V Wladimir Klitschko, Germany
• 159 April 26, 2003 Silence Mabuza V Julio Cesar Medina, London
• 160 June 21, 2003 Andre Thysse V Brian Magee, Manchester
• 161 July 11, 2003 Zolani Marali V Pastor Maurin, Carnival City
• 162 July 12, 2003 Sebastiaan Rothmann V Jorge Castro, Carnival City
• 163 October 3, 2003 Mzukisi Sikali V Hawk Makepula, Carnival City
• 164 November 24, 2003 Silence Mabuza V Khulile Makeba, Carousel
• 165 February 7, 2004 Vuyani Bungu V Takalani Ndlovu, Carnival City
• 166 March 27, 2004 Cassius Baloyi V Juan Cabrera, Carousel
• 167 May 22, 2004 Jean Marc Mormeck V Virgil Hill, Carnival City
• 168 May 22, 2004 Zolani Marali V Thomas Mashaba, Carnival City
• 169 August 7, 2004 Silence Mabuza V Noel Wilders, Carousel
• 170 September 4, 2004 Mzukisi Sikali V Mhikiza Myekeni, Carnival City
• 171 November 20, 2004 Cassius Baloyi V Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Carnival City
• 172 November 20, 2004 Silence Mabuza V Eric Barcelona, Carnival City
• 173 March 27, 2005 Vakhtang Darchinyan V Mzukisi Sikali, Australia
• 174 April 16, 2005 Cassius Baloyi V Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Carnival City
• 175 May 13, 2005 Silence Mabuza V Cruz Carbajal, Las Vegas
• 176 August 26, 2005 Sebastiaan Rothmann V O’Neill Bell, Florida, USA
• 177 August 31, 2005 Cassius Baloyi V Isaac Hlatshwayo, Carnival City
• 178 November 4, 2005 Takalani Ndlovu V Armando Guerro, New York
• 179 November 5, 2005 Silence Mabuza V Rafael Marquez, Lake Tahoe
• 180 February 25, 2006 Isaac Hlatshwayo V Aldo Rios, Carnival City
• 181 April 21, 2006 Takalani Ndlovu V Fabio Oliva, Dover, Delaware
• 182 May 25, 2006 Takalani Ndlovu V Giovanni Andrade, Carnival City
• 183 May 31, 2006 Cassius Baloyi V Manuel Medina, Washington
• 184 July 29, 2006 Cassius Baloyi V Gairy St Clair–Emperors Palace
• 185 July 29, 2006 Gyorgy Hidvegi V George Adibo, Emperors Palace
• 186 August 5, 2006 Silence Mabuza V Rafael Marquez, Lake Tahoe
• 187 November 3, 2006 Isaac Hlatshwayo V Kendall Holt, Atlantic City
• 188 November 4, 2006 Gairy St Clair V Malcolm Klassen, Emperors Palace
• 189 November 4, 2006 Mbwana Matumla V Eric Barcelona, Emperors Palace
• 190 November 4, 2006 Nkosinathi Joyi V Armand de la Cruz, Emperors Palace
• 191 November 4, 2006 Danie Venter V Gyorgy Hidvegi, Emperors Palace
• 192 November 4, 2006 Albert Sosnowski V Lawrence Tausa, Emperors Palace
• 193 February 3, 2007 Laila Ali V Gwendolyn O’Neill, Emperors Palace
• 194 February 3, 2007 Cassius Baloyi V Nazareno Ruiz, Emperors Palace
• 195 May 12, 2007 Isaac Hlatshwayo V Joseph Makaringe, Emperors Palace
• 196 May 12, 2007 Mbwana Matumla V Silence Mabuza, Emperors Palace
• 197 July 14, 2007 Takalani Ndlovu V Steve Molitor, Canada
• 198 October 12, 2007 Isaac Hlatshwayo V Robert Medley, Australia
• 199 February 2, 2008 Silence Mabuza V Eden Sonsona, Emperors Palace
• 200 March 7, 2008 Thomas Mashaba V Cristobal Cruz, Connecticut
• 201 April 4, 2008 Isaac Hlatshwayo V Robert Medley, Australia
• 202 April 29, 2008 Zolani Marali V Godfrey Nzimande, Emperors Palace
• 203 May 31, 2008 Silence Mabuza V Damien Marchiano, Emperors Palace
• 204 May 31, 2008 Hawk Makepula V Zolile Mbityi, Emperors Palace
• 205 July 30, 2008 Billy Dibb V Zolani Marali, Newcastle, Australia
• 206 August 22, 2008 Takalani Ndlovu V Fernando Beltran, Tennessee
• 207 Sept 13, 2008 Cassius Baloyi V Javier Alvarez, Emperors Palace
• 208 October 23, 2008 Cristobal Cruz V Orlando Salido, Spokane, Washington
• 209 Nov 17, 2008 Isaac Hlatshwayo V Delvin Rodriguez, Emperors Palace
• 210 April 2, 2009 Zolani Marali V Gamaliel Diaz, Emperors Palace
• 211 July 11, 2009 Tommy Oosthuizen V Jared Lovett, Emperors Palace
• 212 July 11, 2009 Simphiwe Vetyeka V Eric Barcelona, Emperors Palace
• 213 July11, 2009 Lovemore Ndou V Phillip Ndou, Emperors Palace
• 214 Sept 12, 2009 Tommy Oosthuizen V Clever Alves, Emperors Palace
• 215 Oct 31, 2009 Mlungisi Dlamini V Zolani Marali, Emperors Palace
• 216 Nov 13, 2009 Lovemore Ndou V Matthew Hatton, Stoke, UK
• 217 February 27, 2010 Hekkie Budler V Juanito Rubillar, Emperors Palace
• 218 May 15, 2010 Cristobal Cruz V Orlando Salido , Mexico
• 219 June 19, 2010 Hekkie Budler V Juanito Rubillar, Emperors Palace
• 220 June 19, 2010 Isaac Chilema V Michael Bolling, Emperors Palace
• 221 Sept 18, 2010 Lovemore Ndou V Bongani Mwelase, Emperors Palace
• 222 Nov 6, 2010 Isaac Chilemba V Thomas Oosthuizen, Emperors Palace
• 223 January 27 2010 Hekkie Budler V Gideon Buthelezi, Emperors Palace
• 224 March 26, 2011 Tshifhiwa Munyai V Danilo Pena, Emperors Palace
• 225 March 26, 2011 Thomas Oosthuizen V Evert Bravo, Emperors Palace