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Big punching Van Dyk Park southpaw Tommy “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen (9-0, 7 knockouts) will be looking to win his fourth International championship title when he enters the ring at Emperors Palace on February 27 to challenge Zambia’s John Chibuta (8-3) for the vacant WBA Intercontinental super middleweight crown.
Trained and managed by former SA welterweight champion Harold Volbrecht, the lanky Oosthuizen won three championship straps last year at Emperors Palace, namely the IBO Youth world light heavyweight, IBO Youth world super middleweight and WBA Pan African super middleweight titles and is fiercely determined to add to his growing collection of silverware.
Yet Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman issued his normal pre-fight warning, which in Oosthuizen’s case may be somewhat prophetic: “Any fighter on a roll is inclined to become big-headed and it’s imperative that he (Oosthuizen) keeps both feet firmly on the ground in 2010. This opponent (Chibuta) is no mail-order job and Tommy had better keep his hands up at all times during the fight.”
Criticism of Oosthuizen boxing with his lead right hand at waist level is nothing new, however, and more than one pundit has questioned his defensive qualities.
“So far it’s been Tommy doing the punching” said former SA champion Andre Thysee, “and man he can punch! But I’d definitely like to see him pick up his hands, especially when he faces a puncher”.
Promoter Berman readily agrees. “Yes, Tommy does tend to carry his right hand very low and that is an exceptional dangerous proclivity when a fighter moves up in class”.
Even noted Oosthuizen ‘cheer-leader’ Paul Hetz was critical of Oosthuizen’s stance and said; “Thus far Tommy hasn’t really been tested, but make no mistake Chibuta can crack, and if Oosthuizen isn’t careful he could end up on his backside. It says here that he has to box with his hands close to his body and punch close and inside”.
January 12, 2010 at 10:44 am, britt said:
All I can say is the new WBA Intercontinental super middleweight champion of the world is Thomas “Tommy-Gun” Oosthuizen. “Study he’s feet or are they to fast? Watch he’s hands and be prepared for the blast” he has the float he has the sting and not long from now he will be the king of the ring
January 12, 2010 at 1:51 pm, fight fan said:
Tommy can do it,but he has to pick those hands up he has talent but anything can be an upset in the figthing game.
Tommy will win it by K’O in round 5.
January 12, 2010 at 4:41 pm, ashlee said:
i agree with britt he has hit the nail on the head just like tommy hit his last apponent out which was also on the head
January 13, 2010 at 12:03 pm, Terry Pettifer said:
Sorry fellas, but it was confirmed early this morning that rather than have Tommy aim his sights at the WBA Intercontinental title in this particular bout, he will in fact be making the first defence of his WBA Pan African super middleweight crown. If he’s successful though you can bet the farm that the WBA Intercontinental title will be next on his agenda. Catch you later
January 27, 2010 at 1:19 pm, Mike ( Grim Reaper ) Harding said:
Tommy Gun is disciplined and listens to his trainer. he will go about his business and bring back the gold. This Young man is Silent but yet very violent in the ring. The World is at his feet
March 01, 2010 at 5:40 pm, Luke Bennett said:
Tommy gun was abit careless at “The Prelude” on saturday night even though the oponent wasn’t at all competition, and i personally think the reason for that is because he beat Jarred Lovett. He does have the right to brag about it because he was brilliant on the night and he is an outstanding fighter. But dropping his hands in a fight isn’t always going to be a great idea, someone is going to give him a run for his money. He is my favourite SA boxer and I have no doubt that he can only excell from now.