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Most boxing promoters are satisfied with having a single drawcard, or as they’re often called, “box-office magnets”, on their books, so one can just imagine how Golden Gloves Promotions CEO Rodney Berman feels about having five such fighters under his banner. Indeed, apart from WBA Pan African super middleweight champion Tommy “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen (9-0, with 7 knockouts) igniting the passion of fight acolytes country wide, Berman is also in the enviable position of being entrusted with the fistic fortune’s of unbeaten IBO Africa lightweight king Jason “Badman” Bedeman (10-0-2 with 8 knockouts), undefeated IBO All Africa junior flyweight boss Hekkie “The Hex-ecutioner” Budler (13-0, with 5 knockouts), heavyweight sensation Flo “The Demolition Man” Simba (2-0, with 2 knockouts) and soon-to-arrive Daniel “Billy the Kid” Bruwer ( 18-1-1, with 15 knockouts), who was the former SA light heavyweight champion.
Not that current WBC International light heavyweight champion Isaac “The Golden Boy” Chilembe (14-1, with 8 knockouts) lacks support, but critically assessed one has to say that his turnstile popularity will only notably increase in accordance with his achievements. Yes, he does have charisma, and that will undoubtedly serve in magnifying his skills as 2010 gets underway.
WBA International bantamweight champion Tshifhiwa “Atomic Spider” Munyai (18-1-1, with 9 knockouts) only recently joined the Golden Gloves Consortium and therefore it’s difficult to issue warranty on his powers as a crowd puller, although he’s certainly a sparkling talent destined for world championship fame.
Mind you, the likes of Oosthuizen, Bedeman, Budler, Simba and Bruwer will assuredly play a huge role in the popularity stakes, ahead of what Berman has confidently predicted will be Golden Gloves Promotions “most successful twelve months ever”.
Former sports scribe Paul Hetz was candid when discussing Berman’s current crop of trendsetters. “I think Simba will be enormously popular as he progresses through the heavyweight ranks. The same is true of Bedeman and Oosthuizen, and providing Bruwer shakes off the shackles that are presently hindering his career, he could be one of the most charismatic fighters of the lot” said Hetz.
However the former Boxing Express fight critic was less convinced that the 21-year-old Budler had the necessary firepower to pack in audiences in their droves.
“I could, of course be wrong, but Hekkie still needs a lot of polishing before he’s the complete package. Oh yes, he definitely has the potential to emulate erstwhile junior flyweight icon “Baby” Jake Matlala, but it will take a great deal of time and patience for that to happen”.
However Jeff Ellis of African Ring believes that the wheel of fate could provide for numerous fortune shifts in 2010, and he hasn’t discounted either Chilembe or Munyai becoming huge drawcards en route to international stardom.
“Certain boxers aren’t instant box-office hits, but their popularity increases in relation to their accomplishments. That was true of Pierre Fourie, Vuyani Bungu, Baby Jake Matlala and even Brian Mitchell, all of whom became incredibly popular with the passing of time” concluded Ellis.
December 02, 2009 at 12:56 pm, Barbara said:
Who is the former Express fight critic he is always knocking Budler. Has he ever lost a fight. Or is it because his dad does not have the money Lovett’s Dad has to bribe him.
Just asking
December 02, 2009 at 1:09 pm, Karen said:
I Like Budler. He has the goods we now him as an amature. He was one of the best even then.
Budler is a light weight and this makes it more difficult.
He has boxed boys with experianse other than Grant who rides on his uncle’s fame and hand picks who he is prpared to box.
December 02, 2009 at 3:25 pm, Cynthia Lovett said:
Money has nothing to do with talent Barbara!!
December 02, 2009 at 4:01 pm, Barbara said:
Thats your opinion. I have a problem with what is seen as talent and just acting as a strong boy with a lot of friends on my arm and hurting the innocent people in clubs and on the street. This is not talent in my eye.
Just simple bad manners.
December 02, 2009 at 4:02 pm, Terry Pettifer said:
Jared Lovett’s dad definitely has no reason to bribe anyone, since the “Storm” has incredible natural talent! Moreover, young Budler (who is a junior flyweight & not a lightweight) is undoubtedly a wonderful boxer and this despite Paul Hetz’s obvious reservations regarding his future. Incidentally I have known Hetz for many years and though I don’t always agree with him (especially regarding Budler) he has the right to state his views, as does everyone else. In boxing you pay your money your money and take your pick!
December 02, 2009 at 10:16 pm, Simon said:
I’d like to see fighters like Hekkie, Jared, Grant, Tommy etc get tested against tougher opposition. Not to say they aren’t the real deal, they may be, but their credentials will be proven once they beat stronger opposition. Grant vs. Jason was the type of fight we need to see more of. Jared vs. Tommy didn’t show us anything because neither fighter did much. That could have been a ripper, but wasn’t. I watch all their careers with interest. Good luck to all of them.
December 03, 2009 at 8:23 am, Terry Pettifer said:
A WELL CHOSEN COMMENT JASON, AND OBVIOUSLY YOU ARE A KEEN STUDENT OF THE SPORT. KEEP WATCHING AS WE HAVE SOME REAL SHOW-STOPPERS ON THE CARDS FOR 2010!
December 07, 2009 at 1:40 pm, amanda said:
When I was at jeff’s tournament I saw a real talented boxer in morne bothma and believe he has the goods I would REALLY like to see him fight again just wanted to know if you would know when he is fighting?? Thanks 4 some great boxing shows this year!!
December 07, 2009 at 1:48 pm, Amanda said:
When I was at jeff’s tournament on the 30 th I saw an very talented boxer in morne bothma and would love to see him fight again, I just wanted to find out if you might know when he is fighting again?? Thanks 4 an brilliant year of boxing
December 08, 2009 at 9:07 am, Terry Pettifer said:
Yes Amanda, the young fighter you saw; Morne Bothma is a really impressive newcomer to the fight scene and no doubt he’ll feature on one of our shows early in 2010. as you know we work closely with Jeff Ellis of “African Ring” Promotions and it’s always a pleasure hearing such positive words from one of our lady fight fans.
December 08, 2009 at 12:11 pm, Jono said:
This is to Karen…..
Obviously you have your favorite (Hekkie) but honestly there is no need to
degrade any other S.A. boxer meaning, what you don’t realize
is that they ALL work and train very hard every single day to make there fans and country proud!
Grant is an awesome boxer and I for one can say he defiantly does not ride on his
family fame, infact im sure its harder to live up to that expectation!
So all im asking is…… You have your opinion but don’t disrespect other boxers! Grant is great – so is Hekkie – Thommy – Isaac ect…
December 08, 2009 at 12:56 pm, Amanda said:
Thank you Mr. Pettifer i will go on the site in the new year and see when he is fighting…
December 08, 2009 at 3:39 pm, Wild Angel said:
This one is for –Dear Karen,….
Do you know boxing? Get your facts straight. These are two different weight divisions. Budler is a cute flyweight and Grant a fanastic lightweight.
And why are you so jealous? You must be blonde?
You should not be disrespectful. All Boxers world wide big or small train very hard to accomplish there dreams. Get a life.
December 12, 2009 at 1:56 pm, fight fan said:
well well,lets see the current boys on the scene is all great fighters,like they say you train hard you reep the rewards.I for one is abit dissapointed in jarred lovet but great respect to him.It is just good to see some good boxing.I recon hector will be the next manny pacman this boy has carrisma,his humble
respects everybody and anybody….that is what makes a world champion.
Thomas oosthuizen…..now thats gonna be another succes story.My 2c don’t critisise boxers if you haven’t even been a fighter yourself.