Golden Gloves

Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman was elated over the performance of his jointly-controlled IBO world lightweight champion Ji-Hoon Kim after seeing the murderous punching South Korean bludgeon Ameth Diaz into submission at 2:59 seconds of the opening round on Friday night in Laredo, Texas. Berman co-promotes the rugged Kim along with US business associate Art Pellulo.

After fairly even early exchanges, the Korean landed a splintering right hand that put the Panamanian on the canvas and hurt him badly. Upon rising, Diaz was clearly in no condition to continue and the referee stopped the bout, which was scheduled for 12-rounds.

“Kim was devastating” said Berman, who flies back to South Africa on Tuesday, “and since his contest with Diaz was an eliminator, naturally he’s now in line for a crack at the IBF world lightweight crown”. Kim whose record stands at 21-5 with 18 knockouts, could fight for the vacant IBF world championship in September and Berman is reasonably confident of bringing the bout to South Africa.

“Kim has now won his last ten bouts on knockouts and remembering that he stopped Zolani Marali at Emperors Palace to win the IBO title in 2009, it would be great if he could challenge for the IBF title at the same venue where he achieved victory over Marali”. Nicknamed “Volcano” the big-hitting Kim is clearly viewed as one of the lightweight division’s most exciting pugilists and his demolition over Diaz, who entered the ring with a record of 27-9 with 19 knockouts, underlined his prowess as a home-run belter”

*Meanwhile it’s all systems go ahead of Berman’s “BLOCKBUSTER” extravaganza at Emperors Palace on June 19 and advanced indications are that the arena may be sold out on the night.

“We’re expecting the biggest turn-out of fight patrons in a long time and I advice fans to purchase their tickets as soon as possible” concluded Berman.