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WBA Pan AQfrica super middleweight champion Tommy “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen (9-0, 7 knockouts) had better be careful! That is the word from Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman, after announcing that the lanky Boksburg-based, three-time international titleholder will face a new opponent at Emperors Palace on February 27 in defence of his title! “Oosthuizen’s initial opponent John Chibuta has pulled out of the fight because of an injury, and as such we had to accept a dangerous hitting Ghanaian named Thomas Awinbono (7-3-1, 4 knockouts) as a late replacement” said Berman.
Always highly skeptical about late substitutes, Berman noted; “Do you remember what happened when Lehlohonolo Ledwaba defended his IBF world title in America against a late replacement some years ago? The man in question ended up pulverizing him to capture Ledwaba’s championship in a totally unforeseen upset”. Incidentally the fighter who Berman was referring to was none other than the inimitable Manny Pacquiao, who as it turned out was a masterpiece in process.
Well, not that Awinbono is another Pacquiao, but let’s face it; this sport has a long and consistent history of substitutes overturning the odds and it’s certainly noteworthy that the 5’ 7” Ghanaian happens to be a good right hand hitter, which could definitely present the southpaw Oosthuizen with problems.
“No we weren’t happy with this guy (Awinbono) suddenly stepping into the breach but Tommy has to be kept busy, particularly with an IBO world title eliminator scheduled for April” said trainer Harold Volbrecht.
So what of Awinbono’s credentials? A professional from 2004, the Accra-based boxer started his career as a junior middleweight/middleweight before deciding to move up to super middleweight and his only losses thus far were to Ishmael Tetteh (by split decision) and in Britain to Martin Murray (L 
and Bradley Pryce (L 12) in a bout for the Commonwealth junior middleweight crown. He fought a 12-round draw with Tetteh in 2006 in a contest for the Ghanaian junior middleweight title and has posted some impressive wins over the likes of Tawiah Okwejah (KO 3), Godwin Cudjoe (W TKO 4), Ayittey Okainjah (W 8), Gabriel Adokuu (W and Aryee Ayittey (W 8). Interestingly, Ayittey, Adoku, Cudjoe and Okainjah were all undefeated until they met Awinbono.
“Awinbono is 29-years-old and punches well on the inside” said the GGP fight agent in Ghana, “and he really loves to throw that overhand right”.
Are you listening Tommy?
February 17, 2010 at 9:28 am, Britt said:
First round k.o for Thomas”Tommy-Gun”Oosthuizen no doubt
February 17, 2010 at 9:39 am, Simon said:
Of all the fights on the Feb 27th card, Oosthuizen vs. Chibuta seemed the most potentially “boring” sorry to say. Now vs. Awinbono an even lesser apponenet, in my opinion, I don’t expect much spectator value. Not much GGP can do about the injury and I can understand the need to keep Tommy busy. Awinbono should be lights out in one of the early rounds.
February 17, 2010 at 10:20 am, Britt said:
I do and I don’t agree with you Simone all due respect to your opinion but I would not say any fight is a boring fight. Thomas will be a draw card whether he fights no.1 in the world or no.99 he entertains and he brings results.
February 17, 2010 at 11:56 am, Simon said:
Hi Britt, what I’m saying is that there will be people there who are boxing fans who would like to see tough, evenly matched wars. On paper it reads that Tommy should smash this guy so a one sided contest is not as exciting generaly. Believe me, I rate Oostehuizen, I just don’t rate his opponent.
February 17, 2010 at 12:56 pm, Britt said:
Amen to that Simone.
I know they could have got Thomas a much better fight on such a big show.
But hey let’s make the best of the occasion and support our young warriors of South-Africa.
February 18, 2010 at 9:32 am, Emmanuel said:
Good………..Simone…then this is the time to rate my boxers………..Bilal and Awinbono……cos is going to fire works all to together………
February 18, 2010 at 10:23 am, Britt said:
Hi Emmanuel.
If you say your fighter is so call fire why did he get tko by Godfriend Sowah a man with 13 bouts and lost three times, wait and if your fighter is so called fire why has he lost 3 times wait, wait who has beaten the bad man? No one, wait wait if your fighter is so called fire why isn’t he’s ko % above 80%.
I say another title for Jason, another title for S.A and another big name in S.A Boxing.
February 23, 2010 at 7:17 pm, Johnson said:
Hi,
Tommy is here to stay, bring any african fighter in his weight class they do not stand a chance. Tommy will once again prove that he is SAs long awaited undeniable talent. Left Right Goodnight!
February 28, 2010 at 2:38 pm, Andre said:
Chibuta is a sissy, what a boring fight. It was clear Tommy got very frustrated, which could be a problem. Tommy needs to be able to finish even when he is fighting non-fighters that are set on surviving only. Ghanaians must be embarrassed to have fighters like Chibuta fight under there flag.