Golden Gloves

*BEDEMAN VERSUS MOHAMMED:
Vacant WBA Pan African lightweight title:

In what promises to be one of the most exciting contests on the bill, these savage hitting lightweights are destined to collide with venom aforethought and it’s unlikely that the action will require score-cards to determine the result. Indeed, most pundits figure that this particular bout will be won and lost before the halfway mark and needless to say, every South African’s hopes –if not their wallets –will be riding with the 20-year-old Bedeman, whose colourfully been dubbed “Badman”.
That Mohammed will present the unbeaten Bedeman, whose the IBO Africa lightweight king, with more problems than he’s encountered in all 10 of his previous outings seems reasonably certain and methinks we’ll be treated to a classic display of tenacity, fuelled by both fighters’ desire to strap on the WBA Pan African belt.

*MUNYAI VERSUS FERRERAS
WBA Intercontinental bantamweight title.

Admit it, this kid Munyai is an exceptionally talented boxer with fine defensive and offensive skills and it would be stretching things to wager any likelihood of a Philippine victory. Moreover, the 25-year-old South African, who’s the reigning WBA Intercontinental bantamweight champion, isn’t nicknamed “The Atomic Spider” for nothing and analysts are probably right to conclude that Munyai will finish this title bout inside the first eight rounds. Having said as much, it would, however, be foolish to entirely write off Ferreras’ challenge, especially in view of his Filipino heritage, which clearly underlines a warrior mentality, so prevalent among athletes from that part of the world.

*BUDLER VERSUS RUBILLAR
IBO world junior flyweight title.

A 32-year-old veteran (Rubillar) against a 21-year-old starlet (Budler), in what should be a bitterly fought bout over 12 rounds. Is Budler, after only 13 professional fights, ready for such a massive assignment, or will the highly experienced Rubillar fashion a resounding triumph, complimenting his lofty WBC world ranking? Those in the know have installed the rugged little Filipino as the favourite and though legions of South African hearts will be pounding as one, urging the diminutive “Hex-ecutioner”  to grab victory, this contest could arguably be a defining milestone in the Python-loving Budler’s career. Trained by Colin Nathan, the charismatic Budler is hoping to emulate the immortal Vic Toweel’s epic championship win back in 1950, when the Benoni wood-carver wrested the world bantamweight crown from the grasp of Hall of Famer, Manuel Ortiz. The fact that Rubillar is a southpaw, could have a huge bearing on the outcome of the bout and notwithstanding local ring icon “Baby” Jake Matlala’s additional expertise, Budler may have a mountain to climb before he can claim his first world title!

*OOSTHUIZEN  VERSUS CHIBUTA:
WBA Pan African  light heavyweight title.

Don’t you just love Oosthuizen? A beanpole with sledgehammers for fists, the 20-year-old “Tommy Gun” remains undefeated in nine contests, seven of which ended by  stoppages and has thus far claimed three titles in less than one year (2009).As the current WBA Pan African light heavyweight titleholder, Oosthuizen is a bookmakers choice ahead of this intriguing clash, and though it appears doubtful whether the Zambia-based Chibuta will have sufficient ammunition to derail the marauding fighter from Van Dyk Park, Boksburg, he may own enough guile and fortitude to extend the left-handed South African, who, after all is cut from the typical southpaw mould, that favours counter-punching principles ahead of head-long assaults. Coached by former undefeated SA welterweight great Harold “The Hammer” Volbrecht, the swift punching Tommy Gun has other title aspirations in 2010, providing of course he first overcomes Chibuta.

*SIMBA VERSUS CASTLE
heavyweight bout over 4 rounds.

While Golden Gloves Promotions CEO Rodney Berman contends that Simba, whose only 20-years-old, is the hottest local heavyweight prospect in years, this bout could substantially clarify that supposition, one way or the other.
Dubbed “The Demolition Man”, Simba (2-0, with 2 first-round knockouts) is trained by Harold Volbrecht and managed by two-time Hall of Famer Brian Mitchell, both of whom have giddy expectations for their blossoming young tiger. Yet there are a great many local enthusiasts who expect the 38-year-old Castle (5-1-2) to spike Simba’s guns in this, the most lucrative 4-round bout in the history of SA boxing.
One thing is certain, however, the crowd will get their monies worth when these two fighters come out of their corners at the opening bell!

*BOTMAN VERSUS BAETI:
Lightweight bout over 4 rounds.

Baeti has obtained the nickname “Bang Bang” and his trainer Colin Nathan maintains that he has a bright future in the sour art. Given his undoubted prowess as a puncher, the odds greatly favour him extending his impressive record (18-1-1) against a journeyman fighter whose most respected qualities are his endurance and courage. However, whether that will be enough to halt the progress of Baeti appears extremely doubtful and Nathan is possibly on the money when he says that his charge will post an inside-the-distance victory.