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Who was it that said; “He who fights but runs away, lives to fight another day”? Well last night at Emperors Palace, Flo “The Demolition Man” Simba’s scheduled heavyweight opponent, Mongezi Nzamela, decided that discretion was the better part of valour and in a move unprecedented in South African boxing, didn’t even bother to lace on the gloves but instead went scurrying from the arena in fear only an hour before he was due to become Simba’s fourth professional rival.
“The guy turned yellow…it’s a simple as that” said a disgusted and slightly bewildered Brian Mitchell, who manages the career of the unbeaten 20-year-old Simba. “The fear factor was certainly evident tonight” said African Ring Promoter Jeff Ellis, who in conjunction with Golden Gloves Promotions staged the tournament, which was the first of two back-to-back events to be held at Emperors Palace in consecutive days. “Nzamela should have his professional boxing license immediately revoked and be slapped with a lifelong ban from the sport” said an obviously angry Ellis. The phlegmatic Simba, who despite being informed of his opponent’s lack of commitment only twenty minutes before entering the ring, nevertheless climbed through the ropes, fully kitted in his fight trunks and gloves, before apologizing to the full-house audience that packed the Theatre of Marcellus. “Sorry folks, I don’t know what really happened to him (Nzamela) but I’m really sorry the fight never took place” said the husky-voiced sensation who was looking to score his fourth knockout in as many outings since turning professional last year.
Mind you, notwithstanding the severe disappointment of seeing their latest heavyweight favourite sit out the evening’s events, the Emperors Palace crowd were treated to some feverish fight action last night, with a ding-dong 4-round (60 kg) catchweight bout between Raymond Bloom and Wensley Buys figuring as a preliminary fight to be remembered. In the end, it was perhaps Bloom’s more clinical short-range punching that earned him the result, but fans can pencil in the names of both of these lusty hitters for further reference.
Debutant junior lightweight professionals Prince Ndlovu and Christiaan Visser went hammer and thongs in the opening bout of the evening, until the fiery Ndlovu, who was clearly the harder hitter, scored a fourth round TKO. Trained by Colin Nathan, this two-fisted young tiger is definitely a prospect to keep an eye on!
However in the main bout of the evening, Grant “The Fireball” Fourie dropped a hard fought majority decision to the lanky Sydney Maluleka in a fast paced 6-round junior lightweight contest. The judges, who fashioned scores of 57-57, 58-57 and 58-56 must have felt that the savage punching Maluleka, who took his record to 9-3, landed the more effective punches overall, though there was little to choose between the two fighters. Fourie’s fight resume now drops to 12-2-1.
OTHER RESULTS:
Mitus Diseko halted Sylvester Zaki after only 32 seconds of their slated 4-round middleweight fight and while heavyweight debutant Fikile “The Animal” Nyalunga scored an impressive 1:55 second blow out of Simon Webb in their scheduled 4-round heavyweight bout, Morne Bothma fought back well to earn a 4-round points decision over Cebo Ngema in a bantamweight four rounder.
March 30, 2010 at 9:18 am, jfrwtf said:
The main bout between Grant Fourie and Sydney Maluleka didn’t disappointed. However, I have never seen a fight scored on “savage effective punching”. Fourie battled harder, landed a lot more punches, and looked by far the better boxer on the night.
The fight between Raymond Bloom and Wensley Buys was absolutely fantastic. Great value for any boxing fan. I salute both these boxers for the entertainment they provided us with last night. Again, however, one of the judges scored the fight 36-40, which is just not a true reflection on how this fight went.
Sometimes makes me wonder what the judges focus their scoring on…
March 30, 2010 at 9:47 am, # 1 Fight Fan said:
STUNNED THAT GRANT GOT ROBBED SO BADLY LAST NIGHT!EVEN THE CLOWN THAT WON WAS SURPRISED, ITS A JOKE THAT NOTHING CAN BE DONE ABOUT THIS, AS I SAW THE WHOLE VENUES MOUTHS DROP
ONCE THE DECISION WAS READ!
March 30, 2010 at 9:47 am, Daniel said:
Wow what a disappointing tournament last night – seriously Flo not fighting and
then Grant getting robbed so BADLY, Sydney shouldn’t even be allowed to fight
with the “acting off” in the ring and then going for the fans…. I hope he gets fined or something!
March 30, 2010 at 9:50 am, Andrew said:
All I can say is….. REMATCH!
And then you can show the clown where he belongs Grant…. In the circus!
March 30, 2010 at 9:58 am, lourens said:
very upset about dicision ,but noing grant well ,the boy will be back ,hopefully he can fight the same clown again and give him the hiding of his life .dont worry grant we all know you won that fight!!!!
March 30, 2010 at 10:06 am, sarel said:
Wow last night was really great i really enjoyed it grant you have heart i especially enjoyed bothma’s fight man he has talent and blooms fight was also great i think bothma and fourie will make it BIG well done!
March 30, 2010 at 10:11 am, Ronel said:
Man what a nice night of fighting i really enjoyed it thank you GGP you guys rock!! I especially enjoyed Bothma he is a real talent and i feel so sorry for grant he must just stand up from this and get an rematch
March 30, 2010 at 10:19 am, Mon said:
Well done to Fourie for handling this so well, you do us proud every time!
We know in our hearts that you came out tops!
March 30, 2010 at 10:22 am, Terry Pettifer said:
The Fourie/Maluleka bout was very close, but I felt Grant won the fight by one point (58-57) and was surprised that the majority decision (58-75, 57-57 and 58-56) went against him. However that is boxing and for everyone who thought that Fourie had done enough to nick the verdict, there were those who disagreed. that’s what happens in a close fight.
March 30, 2010 at 10:24 am, Terry Pettifer said:
Sorry fells, that was supposed to read 58-57 and NOT 58-75 as it appears on the screen.
March 30, 2010 at 10:42 am, Luke said:
Mr. Terry, I agree fully – although Sydney acted terrible in the ring and to me that’s so frustrating and not enjoyable at all – just because of his foolishness I would of givin it to Fourie!
March 30, 2010 at 10:43 am, Johnny said:
Grant, rather you learn and experience all this now…. So that one day when you
on top you gonna out box them all! Good luck Fourie!
March 30, 2010 at 10:44 am, Derick said:
People are so worried about the spectators being out of line and being racist,
that I think you should pay more attention to the boxers that act like clowns in the
ring and that are so disrespectful and has no sportsmanship – the animal Grant Fourie fought
last night should of at least gotten a warning he has no place to be honored for his victory
as it was a clear win to THE FIREBALL!
March 30, 2010 at 10:46 am, Luke said:
Grant my boy! In our hearts you defiantly won -im not sure what fight the judges where watching but besides that, keep going my boy you are such a pleasure to watch and even how you handled the situation after the fight – is indeed as gentleman as they come!
March 30, 2010 at 10:55 am, Sinzwile said:
Look Sydney caught Grant with a few big ones…. Buttttttttt Grant worked 100 times harder
landed more punches and was so much faster! This guy has never been knocked down and
I think Grant done a great job in fighting him, you could see the foolishness of Sydney was working against Grant, because he was getting frustrated! But defiantly a win to the Fireball!
March 30, 2010 at 11:05 am, Stuart said:
All I want to know is…. What’s next for the Fireball and where can I get my tickets!
March 30, 2010 at 11:07 am, Nholo said:
All I see is Fourie fighting mean guys, and having tuff fights…. And that’s good cause one day when his up there his gonna have all the experience in his pocket!
March 30, 2010 at 11:27 am, fight fan said:
Terry what happened to Isaac Chilembe.
When wil he be boxing again.
March 30, 2010 at 11:45 am, lourens said:
@terry pettifer ,would you think a return match would be on the cards for grant or not!!!
March 30, 2010 at 12:33 pm, Bongs said:
Unlucky to Fourie – what a terrible decision!
I still reckon his gonna be our main boy one of these days! That place was booooooming for him last night!
March 30, 2010 at 12:36 pm, J.J. said:
The fact that a boxer (Sydney) gets away with such foolishness and childishness
is sickening to my stomach – im sorry but something has to be done! The judges where clearly enjoying the show that clown was putting up for them!
PATHETIC!
March 30, 2010 at 12:46 pm, Sammy said:
I believe Brian Mitchell, Jeff Ellis and Terry all feel the same as we do FANS of the FIREBALL! so therefore the decision on Sydney winning that fight……….. at the end of the day is totally BS!
March 30, 2010 at 12:49 pm, Mikey said:
To all the “FIREBALL” fans…his still our CHAMP!
March 30, 2010 at 12:56 pm, Stephen Castle said:
The Demolition Man could of had a rematch with me last night. I offered, just didn’t have my gum guard with me…….lol
Terrible thing whenthis happens to a fighter. You prepare long and hard. I feel terrible for Flo. I hope BSA make an example of this chicken, who dares to call himself a boxer.
March 30, 2010 at 1:44 pm, Terry Pettifer said:
I would love to see a rematch and believe that Grant will do much better the second time around. As for Stephen’s comment, I have absolutely no doubt that the “People’s Champ” will give a very good account of himself each and every time he enters the ring.Grand warrior is my friend Mr Castle!
March 31, 2010 at 1:39 am, corrie said:
Hi all,
I hope you enjoyed monday’s fights as much as i did!! At first i was a little dissapointed with flo’s fight being called off but then i thought about the nice action we got from the previous fights and the fight thereafter, this kid morne bothma really suprised me and showed some good skill and he looks like a good scientific boxer someone to watch in the future!! The Bloom/Buys fight was a real war nice “fight” and well grant’s fight was very close but i thought he won unfortunatley thats boxing… Overall it was a really great night well done GGP and Jeff.
March 31, 2010 at 9:20 am, Mr. Brian. D. said:
I’ve only been going to S.A’s boxing tournaments since the beginning of this year…. Shows are great….but I’ve been very disappointed in the judging as they have made terrible decisions, its the first time I’ve seen Grant Fourie fight and what a star in the making! The fight was close but not nearly as close enough not to see whom the clear winner was – im keeping my eyes on this boy, I feel his future is big! I also like his stage name…. “The Fireball”
Biggest Boxing fan from OZ
March 31, 2010 at 9:29 am, S.B said:
Have to agree that something should be done to those boxers who act like children..although I have to say not even a child would act the way Sydney did towards Grant Fourie’s fans on Monday night!
It is absolutely disgusting and something needs to be done about it!
March 31, 2010 at 11:28 am, Senior Citizen said:
Grant has such a huge fan base and I saw this on Monday evening!Also where ever I go and mention “Grant Fourie” people always know
exactly who im talking about! This kid has character and I like what I see! Sydney caught Grant with the same punch all the time! but man did Grant go all out… he has a heart of a warrior! He just kept going!
I personally think only Grant out of all the up and coming boxers has truly been
tested… and I also think he has a bright future ahead of him!
March 31, 2010 at 1:48 pm, Grant 'The Fireball' Fourie said:
I love this sport and the fan’s just make it better. this is for you guys thanx for the support. you all rock and make boxing. God Bless.
March 31, 2010 at 2:14 pm, Stuart said:
Grant…. I am your number one fan! please let us know when you are fighting again I would love to meet you! I want to be a great boxer just like you!
March 31, 2010 at 2:17 pm, Bongs said:
Hey Fireball, you won that fight on Monday evening… Keep your head held high! Us fans are behind you 100% always stay as humble as you are!
March 31, 2010 at 2:23 pm, Sammy said:
Hi Grant,
You are on Fire and smoking Hot
March 31, 2010 at 2:45 pm, Junior said:
Fourie got robbed…. as simple as that!
March 31, 2010 at 3:58 pm, Grant 'The Fireball' Fourie said:
Thanx, fans like you guys make the sport great. To Stuart just train hard and I would love to meet you. will let you know for next fight.
April 01, 2010 at 9:42 am, Melis said:
It doesnt surprise me that everyone clearly sees who won the fight on Monday night: Grant ‘The Fireball’ Fourie, there is no doubt about that!!! He is an awesome boxer, and person-and the support he has just shows that his fans see him for who he is, they see his talent, his humbleness! Grant, The way Sydney acted in that ring only made you shine even brighter, and people gained even more respect and admiration for you Grant! YOU ARE AWESOME AND WE ARE ALL SO PROUD OF YOU!!!!!
April 01, 2010 at 11:40 am, Jason said:
Look im mostly disappointed in the was Sydney acted in the ring towards the sport and Grant, I take my hat off to Grant for handling the situation so well! But still believe Grant won!
April 05, 2010 at 11:50 am, Terry Pettifer said:
I believe that Grant will obtain a rematch in the near future. Let’s wait and see!
April 05, 2010 at 3:37 pm, Terry Pettifer said:
Grant Fourie is one heck of a nice guy and a true gentleman, I wholeheartedly agree!
April 06, 2010 at 7:55 am, Daniel said:
I agree 100% Mr. Terry The Fireball is such an awesome guy, when do you think this rematch will be???? I want to book my TICKETS! yes please!
April 06, 2010 at 8:29 am, # 1 Fight Fan said:
Best news ever! when and where will this rematch take place! Show them what you made of Fireball!