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While very few boxers actually ‘hate’ each their rivals, there’s no denying the fact that Joe Frazier’s words regarding his nemesis Muhammad Ali aptly apply to most “grudge” encounters. Asked if he really hated the self proclaimed Greatest, the phlegmatic Frazier broadly grinned before replying, “I suppose I did have a lot of hate in my heart going into each of our three fights but that’s part of this game. If you don’t hate the guy enough you don’t really want to put that much hurt on him, do you? Basically though I can’t say I truly hated him. It was more a case of me looking at him and knowing that he had a couple of screws loose” said Smokin Joe.
South African boxing has been filled with classic grudge fights, a few of which epitomised the hate factor in its starkest form. The ideal example of this were the trilogy of middleweight wars between arch-rivals Mike Holt and Eddie Thomas during the 1950’s, who literally tried to commit legalised murder each time they fought.
Methinks the portents ahead of the November 3, IBO world super middleweight championship bout between Tommy “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen and Isaac “The Golden Boy” Chilemba has the makings of one of the fiercest and most brutally waged contests seen in this country since Bruce McIntyre and Cameron Adams bashed the living daylights out of each other one rain-swept night at the Rand Stadium.
“Given their mutual dislike for each other and the extremely harsh words that were exchanged at this week’s press conference, Chilemba versus Oosthuizen could possibly eclipse every local grudge fight in recent times” said African Ring’s Jeff Ellis, while the official fight promoter; Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions believes the bout will elicit a ‘pier-six’ punch-up unlike anything ever seen at Emperors Palace. “The grudge element in this case hasn’t been carefully modulated and as such we can expect to a murderous fight between two superbly gifted fighters. Simply put, this could be the biggest bout staged in South Africa in years” said Berman.
Purists recall only too well previous homespun classics, like the Gerrie Coetzee/Kallie Knoetze, Phillip Ndou/Cassius Baloyi and Pierre Coetzer/Johnny du Plooy battles and Berman is of the opinion that the November slugfest will rival or surpass the savage exploits of all those contests. “Chilemba has promised to batter Oosthuizen into early retirement and similarly the Tommy Gun has pledged to smear the Malawi-born world champion all over the Emperors Palace canvas. Can you beat that sort pre-advanced publicity? I think not and don’t be at all surprised if this bill is sold out two months before the fight. In anticipation of that happening we will be opening booking for the tournament much earlier than usual”.
July 26, 2010 at 10:09 am, Britt said:
Well I couldn’t agree more with Tommy, he’ll definitely smear the Malawian all over the canvas.
My prediction stands to be argued over but obviously it’s arguably my opinion, Thomas will out smart, out class and outbox Isaac until the eight round Isaac will realise that this encounter is a bit more of an challenge as he and he’s manger has predicted, like wise he’ll run in to fight Thomas working for that brutal grudge knock out, then “Boom-Bang and game set and match, he walks into one of the biggest left hands in the super middleweight division, good night Isaac, and good night Jody!
July 26, 2010 at 10:21 am, the real fight fan said:
SLUG FEST OF NOTE…………..TOMMY WILL BE VICTORIUS.AMEN
July 26, 2010 at 10:34 am, the real fight fan said:
I don’t think it is hate factor as such,Isaac must just know when to shut the hell up.You don’t insult the aligator when you are still in the water.
My 2c Tommy is gonna wip Isaac wheter it is on points or knock out.Tommy will win it.
July 27, 2010 at 8:39 pm, sipho said:
to all TOMMYS fans keep on dreaming.Isaac will open that cut above the aye bigger.
July 28, 2010 at 9:15 am, Britt said:
You’re spelling is like the letter from the attorneys that Jody gave Tommy pathetic! “Aye”
Eye is the word you’re looking for!
July 28, 2010 at 9:42 am, the real fight fan said:
Jody has some serious issues it looks like…
She need’s to get laid.
July 29, 2010 at 8:07 am, Terry Pettifer said:
Distasteful comment “real fight fan” and totally uncalled for!
July 29, 2010 at 8:30 am, Fan of the GUN said:
Wow !!! one could just cut the atmosphere between these two with a knife last night.
Tension is really building up, and just hope it doesnt reach breaking point before November ….
July 29, 2010 at 9:31 am, Britt said:
HA-HA Terry Pettifer A gentlemen of note! I like!
July 29, 2010 at 8:53 pm, sipho said:
Mr Britt u can say whatever about the spelling at the end of the day it means nothing.ur Tommy will bite the dust.
July 31, 2010 at 12:05 am, fan of the GUN said:
@ Sipho ….. talk is cheap brother, its the do that does it!!
August 08, 2010 at 6:25 am, Observer said:
I think both Tommy and Isaac are great fighters…Been to all Tommy’s fights and most of Isaac’s…However, nothing short of a Sakio Bika in his prime could beat Tommy. I’ll make anyone a bet that Tommy is the next Brian Mitchell of South African boxing.