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While current heavyweight sensation Flo “The Demolition Man” Simba (6-0, with 5 knockouts) appears to have been criticised in some quarters for fighting what the average, hotdog-chomping boxing fan term “stiffs”, Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman made it clear that he will not be dictated to and told what to do with any of his array of ring stars. “It’s funny you know but if we listened to what the general public said we should do, the likes of Corrie Sanders, Sugarboy Malinga, Vuyani Bungu, Phillip Holiday, Mbulelo Botile, Cassius Baloyi, Brian Mitchell and Baby Jake Matlala would NEVER have become enduring legends in South African boxing” said Berman. Certainly the indefatigable Matlala would not have faced and defeated Ringdom’s Michael Carbajal when he did and at a time when the aging South African was merely considered an “opponent” for the fighter who is rated #1 junior flyweight of all-time by The Ring magazine.
The same was indubitably true of Sugarboy Malinga, Corrie Sanders and Vuyani Bungu, all of whom turned the form book on its head in major world title fights.
“Simba has come in for quite a bit of stick” said Berman, “but few so called experts appreciate or give much thought to the dearth of heavyweights in this country and like I’ve said before, NO ONE will lecture us how to operate our business, which we’ve been doing for the past 35 years. For the record, the once great “Iron” Mike Tyson was groomed on ‘tomato cans’ (what others call ‘bums’) early in his career and remember that America has always had a vast pool of ineffective heavyweights to chose from.”
Interestingly Tyson’s first five opponents included Hector Mercedes (0-3-0), Trent Singleton (1-3-0), Don Halpin (10-18-0), Ricardo Spain (1-0-0) and Larry Simms (3-16-3). Hardly a fearsome bunch of leather throwers, they nevertheless represented what the US public wanted to see at the time: The omnipotent Tyson smashing his way through the ranks of pretenders until he met genuine contenders and established his name as one of the most murderous hitters since Sonny Liston and George Foreman.
Jeff Ellis of African Ring solidly supports the manner in which Simba, as well as fellow heavyweight hotshot Johnny Muller (7-0-1, with 5 knockouts) are being brought along. “At this stage of their careers it’s not so much who Flo and Johnny actually beat but rather the manner in which they take care of the job” said Ellis. “Besides every heavyweight prospect needs to be matched cautiously during the embryonic stage in his career”.
The legendary Joe Louis; who ruled the world heavyweight roost from 1937-1949 was routinely accused of fighting what cynics called; “a bum of the month” and it mattered little to the cynics that the Brown Bomber constantly mopped up the opposition for a period of 12 years, en route to fashioning a record 25 knockouts.
August 23, 2010 at 10:04 am, Britt said:
All due respect all our comments are just suggestions, we’ are suggesting things, and at time we’ are wrong and ate time would could be right, but your structure and you planning we could not change, we like the way GGP are grooming all of the fighters but like my wise old grandfather always said the “it always seems the best coaches and managers are at home on the couches” what we say Mr.T is only suggestions and we don’t suspect GGP to take them up, but be so kind to listen to them …. Ha-ha. We just fan’s and not expertises be merciful on our suggestions and comments. I guess not all of my suggestions and comments or prediction was ever accurate but I never give up supporting the number one boxing promoters in the world.
I love GGP
And God bless GGP.
August 23, 2010 at 12:46 pm, Tanya said:
I doubt anybody gave Flo the stick about his opponents. We are huge fans of Flo and just believed that Flo has the ability for more. As Britt said they were all just suggestions and opinions. We love Flo and GGP and will always support Flo.
August 23, 2010 at 5:25 pm, Johnny said:
A boxer does not only need to fight a bum all the time were will the experience come from when he faces a good heavyweight .Look what happened to Jake Els were is he now .A good promoter must choose his opponents carefully (at the same level on what his fighter is on )That how you build him up,Good example Hekkie Budler`s Last fight in my opinion he lost why (South African Boxers must fight more in other country’s)Same story with Daniel Bruwer Won every body in Sa and had a draw against Fernando Roberto Vera won 11(KO 8)lost18(KO 9)drawn 2 what does that tell you. Get them out there to get experience.South Africa is not as big as America and there is only a hand full of fighter that will make it and im taking not about IBO titles the big ones Like WBC,WBO,WBA and IBF .
August 24, 2010 at 6:42 am, Simon said:
Grooming a fighter is no easy business. So I have no issue with fighters being set up to fight ‘easy’ or ‘easier’ opponents. Makes sense as per the above article. What is annoying however is when a bum fighter is made out to sound like a dangerous opponent. Then again, there is always a chance the bum gets in a lucky punch… thats boxing.
August 24, 2010 at 7:47 am, flo simba fan said:
TANYA/BRITT.I AGREE WITH YOU WE ALL BIG FANS OF FLO SIMBA, BUT DON’T THROW HIM IN THE DEEP END TO DROWN-ISAAC RECORD 17-5-1 IS A LOT FIGHTS,BUT AFTER ALL I AM STILL A SUPPORTER OF FLO SIMBA.AND HE CAN DO IT
August 24, 2010 at 11:18 am, Box office said:
Johnny that is your opinion. The judges did not. Budler took two massive low blows. In the 2nd round and in the 8th or 9th rounds no pionts were taken from his oponent. But like I said that is your opinion. Budler has one of the most difficult weight devisions and he is doing very well. And believe me that not only my opinion.
August 24, 2010 at 11:44 am, flo simba fan said:
YOU GO BOX OFFICE WHAT A OPINION
August 24, 2010 at 12:18 pm, Britt said:
Box office your opinion is arguably your opinion but I agree with you firstly; our boy’s will be more than ready for the big spot lights in the near further, Hekkie, Tommy, Johnny, flo, Atomic-spider. Please give me a second for my (2sense) Thomas in the next two years will kill in the IBF, WBC rankings and that I could put every single rand I own on, then Hekkie, yes he is in a very difficult division but to win a world title in that division at he’s age, please that’s “cheer class” then please take the age’s of all our prospects in consideration “19, 18,23” there furthers are as bright as ever.
Then how could you say Hekkie got a hiding, he won that fight just as much as he’s opponents, he came back in the late rounds of the fight and he won it, he started very slow but he gave it all he had at that stage. One thing you should remember “Johnny” people won’t speak about that fight over 5years from now they will be speaking about the win he got that night.
Wise words of the day
All the longest journeys start with a single step. And sometimes the single step are small but small conceited steps are effective.
God bless GGP.
August 24, 2010 at 12:22 pm, Britt said:
consistent,I meant to say
August 24, 2010 at 12:56 pm, Johnny said:
I agree with all of you ,I like all of the boxers but the promoters must start looking at the boxers and not only at there pockets (Boxing is there Job)there life is build around this,when they are in the ring the cant pass the ball out to the promoter that why the promoter(matchmaker)must know what they are doing.When a boxer looses in a couple of fights the promoter moves on to the next boxer (My concern is the Boxers)Cant everybody get a fair share of this pie ,To some this will be harsh words but in life one must be honest.
August 24, 2010 at 1:01 pm, Britt said:
I don’t understand your point of argument, I do understand you concern about the Boxers, fair enough but what’s your point of argument?
August 25, 2010 at 12:38 pm, Tanya said:
Main point is that Flo should know that we are all fans and support him. I get what GGP are saying about Johnny and Flo but I also get the comments (and my own) after Flo’s last fight. That was embarrasing. Of course the build up should be slow and the trainers and promoters are trying to build champions and want their boxers’ careers to last as long as possible but paying fans also want at least a fair match in a fight.
August 25, 2010 at 1:14 pm, fan said:
Sorry Johnny you really don’t make sense.
You say that Hekkie lost his fight and we all know he did not. Nou you are fighting with the promoters. Are you a boxer who is not paid
speek to your trainer and sort it out
August 25, 2010 at 2:26 pm, flo simba fan said:
TANYA, I AGREE WITH YOU, BUT IT’S NOT FLO FAULT THAT THIS GUYS RUNNING AWAY OR THE SICK.
IF FLO WINS THIS BOUT HE WILL BE READY FOR THE BIG BOYS- IF ISAAC-RECORD IS 17-5-1
August 25, 2010 at 11:03 pm, "Uppercut" said:
We look at boxing as a spectator.The best boxer in the world are the spectator,thats way there are trainers,managers and promoters.They know whats the best for there boxers.Without these people ,Corrie,Bungu ,Phillip ,Baloyi,Baby Jake and Brian mitchell would have never became world champions.So lets leave the training and grooming of our GOOD BOXERS in the hands of these people.We can have our opinions ,but lets keep on supporting our guys and GGP.GOD BLESS
August 26, 2010 at 7:23 am, Duncan said:
GGP just keep on what you guys are doing,groom them untill they are ready even if it takes another 5 years.These upcoming fighters are still young and has along way to go,but I recon GGP is doing it right keep it up Rodney you have been doing this for a very long time and I for one think that GGP is the best promoters in the world.Hekkie,Flow,Thommy,Jonhny will all win a few titles in the near future just watch this space.
August 26, 2010 at 8:01 am, flo simba fan said:
DUNCAN/”UPPERCUT”
I AGREE WITH BOTH OF YOU-GGP KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK.
DUNCAN WE WILL WATCH THIS SPACE FOR THE TITLES
August 26, 2010 at 12:31 pm, deon said:
Can’t agree more, I’ve heard Johnny Muller say on more than one occasion that he is learning so much from Harold. Point is the guys like Johnny and Flo, although fantastic boxers, still has a long way to go and improve.
August 26, 2010 at 12:32 pm, Tanya said:
Of course its not Flo’s fault, he is just that damn good LOL. Johnny and Flo, we are big fans!
August 27, 2010 at 7:21 am, flo simba fan said:
TANYA,WE ALL HAVE A LOL,
BUT MY MONEY IS STILL ON FLO, AS FOR JOHNNY,WE KNOW HE WILL WIN HIS BOUT,BUT WE WILL SEE IF IT’S GOING TO BE POINTS/ KO
August 27, 2010 at 9:09 am, Britt said:
Nah’ I think Johnny’ will walk away with a comfortable TKO win, he has some devastating combinations….
August 27, 2010 at 9:49 am, flo simba fan said:
BRITT, I HOPE SO FLO WENT THE FULL DISTANCE WITH ELVIS MOYO
August 27, 2010 at 10:35 am, Britt said:
The fact of the matter stand’s they are two very different fighters, in a way I could say that Johnny trough more combinations more consistent then Flo, and in a way I ‘like Flo allot don’t get me wrong, the thing that’s bothering me he’s still a bit cautious in away, he needs to be more explosive be a “Demolition-man” ‘to tear down, and destroy your object immediately’
August 27, 2010 at 11:50 am, flo simba fan said:
BRITT YES I AGREE WITH YOU AL THE WAY,
August 27, 2010 at 12:31 pm, Tanya said:
Johnny will win with KO or TKO, mark my words. Britt I couldn’t agree with you more. Flo is a fantastic boxer with so much power its scary but still a bit predictable, whereas with Johnny, you never know what’s coming next.
August 27, 2010 at 12:34 pm, Shawn said:
Very much two different fighters as Britt says. No doubt Johnny will have a tough one on the 18th but also no doubt young Muller will not be waiting around for Moyo’s right hand.
August 27, 2010 at 12:35 pm, christo said:
Oh my word Flo Simba Fan are we back to comparing Johnny and Flo he he he. All I can say is Johnny will knock the daylights out of Elvis.
August 27, 2010 at 12:36 pm, Zain said:
Both great fighters, but no doubt Johnny will have his hands full but he will win with TKO
August 27, 2010 at 1:52 pm, flo simba fan said:
CHRISTO, I NOT COMPARING JOHNNY WITH FLO,
HAROLD KNOW HOW ELVIS IS BOXING, AND HE WILL GIVE HIM THE BEST ADVICE TO KNOCK ELVIS TO THE CANVAS IN A FLASH,
August 27, 2010 at 6:10 pm, Frikkie said:
teen wie boks johnny muller en teen wie boks flo simbe?
August 30, 2010 at 12:17 pm, Tanya said:
Absolutely Flo Simba Fan, Harold knows his boxers and both Flo and Johnny will be victorius.
August 30, 2010 at 7:03 pm, Frikkie said:
Respect to you Tanya but Lets be honest, If we look at the records of the 2 gentlemen boxing against Simba and Muller then yes I would also agree that they will definitely be victorius. I love boxing but I wont go that night. No wonder cage fighting is taking over. You get fair matches there
September 01, 2010 at 12:24 pm, Tanya said:
Frikkie as we all know, anything can happen in a boxing match. We saw that when the might Flo went up against Elvis Moyo. These two youngsters still need a hell of a lot of experience and guidance. They are very good and can be great champions but why rush things. If we just put them up against the very experienced champions now, I believe they will burn out quickly. I’m definately going on the 18th and you would too if you know how electrifying these two youngsters are to watch. Its all about the love for the game for me.