Golden Gloves

Tommy Oosthuizen’s career is on the rise, with big things expected in 2012

Just 23 and with speed to match his power, Tommy Oosthuizen has become a firm favourite with South African boxing fans.

Having recently entered the world top 10, the IBO super-middleweight champion has designs on the big names in the division and is planning a full-blown assault in the next 12 months.

The southpaw has raced to a respectable 16-0-1 (11 KOs) record in three years and is looking to take on allcomers, especially after making his US debut on a Lou Di Bella card in Mississippi in September.

“That was a real eye-opener,” says the man who trades by the name “Tommy Gun”. “I got a real sense of the world out there, the boxing world in particular, and I want to be a big part of it.”

Oosthuizen has passed every test thrown his way. He cleaned up the domestic scene with a dozen straight wins – nine by stoppage – and has since pounded out wins against fringe contenders like Saul Roman, Evert Bravo and William Gare.

In his most recent, and arguably most impressive, outing, he outboxed Aaron Pryor jnr to win a unanimous points decision.

The South African media acclaimed the performance and he was given a hero’s welcome.

The win has given him the confidence he needs to compete in one of the most dynamic divisions in boxing.

Despite a brief amateur career of just two dozen bouts, he captured a national title, but was soon drawn to the professional ranks thanks to the legacy of his father Charles.

Oosthuizen snr was a handy middleweight in the 1980s who finished with a 26-7-2 record, having fought the likes of (ex-IBF champion) Reggie Johnson and Brett Lally.(Tommy also has a younger brother who boxes professional, Charles jnr, who is 4-0).

Oosthuizen is trained by former world title challenger Harold Volbrecht, himself a southpaw and arguably the best welterweight produced in South Africa.

He describes his charge as “the full package” and the best boxer in his busy stable.

“He’s got the whole lot,” says Volbrecht. “He has height (6’4”), reach, takes a good shot, possesses great handspeed and can really dig.”

But the trainer concedes that he still has much to learn. Indeed, in his only lapse to date, a 12-round draw against fellow contender Isaac Chilemba, he lacked sharpness and accuracy and was off his game.

But the pair have worked hard since and Oosthuizen completely dominated his subsequent three opponents.
“He’s still young,” says Volbrecht, “but he’s a good learner and will draw from the boxing blood in him.”
He’ll also draw inspiration from his recent visit to the US where he was made aware of the levels of professionalism in the fight game.

“It’s all business now,” says Oosthuizen. “I learned so much in my month there and I want to take all the lessons on board to become a major champion.”

Oosthuizen has been promoted by Golden Gloves since his debut, with CEO Rodney Berman having no hesitation in naming him a future star.

“He’s outgrown South Africa and I’ve warned South Africans to enjoy him while they can because he’ll be campaigning offshore from now on. He’s not only a slick fighter with real power, but he has tremendous charisma, and that’s something you’re born with. People should come out and watch him. He’s special.”