Golden Gloves

Flo Simba will face the fight of his life against big Francois Botha at Emperors Palace this weekend

Big-time boxing will be back this weekend as boxing prodigy Flo Simba goes in search of the scalp of former heavyweight champion Francois Botha on the Power and Pride bill at Emperors Palace on Saturday.

The Golden Gloves tournament will be broadcast live from 8pm on SuperSport 6.

Despite having had just 10 fights (nine KO’s), Simba has gripped the imagination, thanks to his speed and powerful punching.

“He’s the best talent I’ve seen in a generation,” said his manager and former world champion Brian Mitchell. “This kid can go all the way.”

The “White Buffalo” has had an extraordinary career that has taken him to major fights in Las Vegas, London and New York against some of the finest heavyweights of the past 20 years, among them Mike Tyson, Lennox Lewis and Evander Holyfield.

At 42 he is not in his prime, but his right hand remains a dangerous weapon.

“Flo’s a baby and his time will come, but it won’t be on Saturday night,” said Botha.

As to claims that he’s bigger than he ought to be, Botha quipped: “So, when did you last see a thin buffalo?”

The world title on the card will see IBO super-middleweight champion Tommy Oosthuizen defend his belt against warhorse William Gare. Unbeaten Oosthuizen has blazing handspeed and packs a big punch, but Gare will give him all the trouble he can handle in the 12-rounder.

The IBO welterweight eliminator between SA champion Chris van Heerden and Bongani Mwelase is probably the most evenly-matched fight on the card. The two nearly came to blows at a media conference this week and it’s fair to say there is real animosity between the two.

What better place than the boxing ring to settle matters?

At heavyweight, big-punching Thabiso Mchunu (one of SA boxing’s best-kept secrets) will fight ex-Olympian Danie Venter over eight rounds. Venter is ringwise and experienced, but he will need all his experience to stay away from Mchunu’s bombs.

The tournament will be opened by two of trainer Harold Volbrecht’s best young fighters. SA light-heavyweight champion Johnny Muller will defend his crown against Tshepang Mohale, while the DRC’s Bongo Lipemba will fight Samson Ndlovu in a junior-lightweight four-rounder.

Betting World will be taking bets at the venue.