Ndou to fight at Junior Welter & Mosley invited to Emperors Bash!

20 February 2009 — Terry Pettifer

The "FIGHT NIGHT" boxing extravaganza at EMPERORS PALACE on March 21, which will be sponsored by "Gree-Air conditioners" and beamed ‘live' per courtesy of M-Net SuperSport, may have an additional cast member join the parade of stars. Moreover, this star is especially famous, since he's none other than California boxing immortal "Sugar" Shane Mosley, who at 37, recently won the WBA welterweight championship of the world.

A fighter who has won world titles in three weight divisions; lightweight, junior middleweight and welterweight, Mosley had the "Indian Sign" on fellow ring legend Oscar De La Hoya, whom he defeated twice as a professional.

Ironically, Mosley's first world championship victory was against South Africa's Phillip Holiday, who he outpointed to win the WBA lightweight crown in the mid Nineties. "We have tentatively invited Shane to the Emperors Palace tournament and he's exceptionally keen to attend" said Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman. Naturally, Mosley's services won't come cheaply, however, and Berman is presently considering the financial requirements for such a visit.

"If we do manage to meet Shane's financial requirements, it will be a tremendous boost for what already promises to be a rip-roaring event" said Berman.

In the past, Golden gloves Promotions managed to orchestrate some of the greatest boxing events in the history of SA boxing, including the "MMABATHO EMPI", "THUNDER IN AFRICA", "ALL THE KINGS MEN" and "ALI AT THE PALACE" gala presentations.

"To have Shane attend this forthcoming event will be a gigantic coup, particularly in light of his most recent victory in America" concluded Berman.

Meanwhile it has been confirmed that former WBU junior lightweight champion Phillip "The Timebomb" Ndou will henceforth confine his activities to the junior welterweight division. Indeed, after his eagerly-awaited comeback last weekend in San Quentin, France, where Ndou fetched an impressive 5th round stoppage over the durable Rachid Drilzane in a welterweight bout scheduled for eight rounds, the "Timebomb" feels that his future may ideally lay in the junior welterweight ranks.

"I felt comfortable at the junior welterweight limit and Rodney (Berman) agrees with me" said a triumphant Ndou, who in adding another scalp to his fine resume of wins, has suddenly captured the attention of numerous boxing cognoscenti in the united States. "We've been offered a prime spot on ESPN television, so what does that tell you?" asked Berman. "Phillip is still one of the most marketable fighter's around and together with welterweight predator Bongani Mwelase he'll feature prominently on American television in the next six months" added Berman.

* Emperors Palace may be filled to capacity on March 21, if advanced booking is anything to go by. The fact that ticket prices are extremely affordable; R50, R100 and R150 has certainly ensured that there will be a last minute stampede for the remaining tickets, and as such fight organisers Golden Gloves Promotions are advising patrons to obtain their seating requirements as soon as possible, to avoid disappointment.

Golden Gloves 'flying high' as Cruz and Ndou triumph in France !

15 February 2009 — Terry Pettifer

By virtue of their respective triumphs in San Quentin, France, last night, both IBF featherweight champion Mexico's Cristobal Cruz and South Africa's Phillip "The Timebomb" Ndou are riding a wave that Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman believes will lead to monstrous pay cheques in the months ahead.

"Cruz (38-11) is 31-years-old, which is the same age as Ndou and in lieu of his points victory over France's Cyril Thomas (116-112, 115-113, 115-113) last night he underlined his worth as a bona fide world champion" said Berman. Closer to home though, Berman was elated at the form shown by Phillip "The Timebomb" Ndou who iced France's Rachid Drlzane in the 5th round of their slated 8-round welterweight bout. "Phil looked great after such an extensive layoff and remember that the tough-as-teak Drilzane really 'came to fight' and wasn't overawed by Ndou's reputation as a former WBU junior lightweight champion" added Berman.

Since Berman co-promotes Cruz (with Banner Promotions in the USA) as well as IBO featherweight king Fernando Beltran, the Mexican's victory was especially noteworthy, and while he wouldn't reveal details at this point in time, Berman did say that one of his Mexican world beaters would be headlining an Emperors Palace bill in South Africa within the next four months. "Emperors is the Mecca of SA boxing and we have wonderfully vibrant plans in the pipeline" said Berman.

As for Ndou, the CEO of Golden Gloves was particularly excited. "Phillip executed his plan to perfection and while there was no undue haste about the manner in which he finished off the brave Drilzane, his right hand uppercut was again the match winning ticket, much like it was when he knocked out Carlos Rios to lift the WBU junior lightweight crown".

A courageous battler with adequate skills, Drilzane held his own for most of the first three rounds, as Ndou found his range with jab left jabs and occasional right hand counters. Then, when it appeared that the Frenchman wanted to increase the tempo of the bout, Ndou cut loose with his characteristic blend of punches; jabs, hooks and uppercuts, and while Drilzane managed to stay on his feet after absorbing a cracker-jack right hand uppercut, he was clearly on 'queer street' as he reeled away from the South African in no condition to continue.

An excited Ndou subsequently aired his excitement as he paraded around the ring in front of a capacity crowd of 5,000 people shouting, "I'm back, I'm back"!

Next on the agenda, is an outing on ESPN television where Ndou has already been guaranteed premier billing. Former two-time world junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell did the television commentary of last night's event and was highly impressed with Ndou. "From what I've seen of Phillip in this fight he still has an exciting career ahead of him, and what with Golden Gloves handling both Phillip and former WBF welterweight boss Bongani Mwelase, I'd say that the future for both fighters is exceptionally bright!" said South Africa's consensus choice as "Fighter of the 20th Century"

Ndou and Co arrive back in South Africa tomorrow after which there will be a detailed press conference, within the forthcoming week, as to the immediate way forward. TP

The "Timebomb" promised top spot On ESPN bill in America!

10 February 2009 — Terry Pettifer

Even before he climbs into the ring against Rachid Drilzane on Saturday night in San Quentin, France, South Africa's Phillip "The Timebomb" Ndou (31-3, 30 knockouts) will be aware that there is a date waiting for him in America, in either late April or early May, where he has been offered the feature spot on an ESPN bill. "That is a tribute to Phillip's incredible charisma and legend as a puncher" said Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman.

Indeed, even after he'd lost to the omnipotent Floyd Mayweather, the murderous hitting Ndou was always exceptionally popular in the land of the dollar, and at age 31, and despite his extended layoff from the ring, is still a sought after attraction in the United States.

"Phillip oozes charisma" said Berman, and notwithstanding his three-year break from boxing, is still a ‘name' fighter throughout international boxing circles. How else would he have obtained such a great offer to headline aN ESPN fight card if he wasn't considered a bona fide box-office attraction?"

Saturday night's outing in France, against Drilzane could suitably address the concerns and expectations of most local pundits, although Ndou himself radiated confidence when he jetted out of the country last night.

According to his trainer-manager Mick Castellan, "Phil is in great shape and despite him returning as a fully-fledged welterweight, there's no need to doubt either his resolve or ambition. He will show all and sundry just how malevolent he can still be, and don't be surprised if he's even more dangerous with the additional weight on his albatross-like frame."

Former WBA and IBF junior lightweight great Brian Mitchell accompanies Rodney Berman to France tomorrow night, and will be doing television commentary of the event.

Lombard could be next Pretoria Heavyweight to make good!

10 February 2009 — Terry Pettifer

Twenty-five-year-old Ronnie Lombard, could become the next, in a long line of Pretoria heavyweights to make a name for himself in the thick-ear mart!

Certainly Golden Gloves Promoter believes as much, and he's eagerly anticipating Lombard's debut in the professional ranks on March 21 at Emperors Palace.

"Pretoria has, over the years, produced some of this country's most talented heavyweight boxers" said Berman. "Fighters like Kallie Knoetze, Pierre Coetzer, Daan Bekker, Billy Lotter and the Strydom brothers, Louw and Piet, and we feel that with the correct guidance and training, Lombard could scale the heights in the division". A former SA amateur heavyweight champion, Ronnie had 22 bouts in the amateur ranks, with 20 wins and 2 losses.

Trained by former national welterweight champion Harold Volbrecht, he has already shown remarkable talent, and is, according to Volbrecht, "A rough diamond waiting to be polished".

At around 105 kg, Lombard is as tall as Kallie Knoetze (6' 2") and has an accurate left jab and powerful left hook. His boyish smile belies the fact that he has a very real passion for fighting, and Volbrecht is adamant that he hasn't seen a more determined heavyweight prospect in years.

"Ronnie really enjoys what he's doing and I'm looking to see him improve in leaps and bounds over the next twelve months".

While Lombard's opponent for the March 21 fistic extravaganza has yet to be confirmed, Stephen Castle has been speculatively pencilled in as a possible rival.

"That's if he accepts the fight" suggested man-about-boxing Jeff Ellis, who is extremely impressed with Lombard's amateur pedigree.

"Thus far I've only heard great things about Ronnie and methinks he could revitalize the division in this country, along with Jared Lovett, who is definitely growing into a fully-fledged heavyweight" concluded Ellis.

The fact that Lombard is not excessively heavy doesn't perturb Volbrecht in the least. Indeed, Harold is quick to point out that the likes of Gerrie Coetzee, Pierre Coetzer, Kallie Knoetze and Corrie Sanders, all started their careers as "heavy cruiserweights", and Coetzee in his prime was seldom over 94 kg.

"Don't let weight confuse you. Fat is one thing that most of the American heavyweights have in abundance. What I'm looking for is a trim heavyweight of around 97 kg! That to me is the ideal poundage limit for the division, and right now, I'm looking at just such a fighter in Ronnie Lombard. Watch his smoke!"

Berman over the moon about his "Cyclone"!

9 February 2009 — Terry Pettifer

Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman is 'over the moon' about the acquisition of Bongani "The Cyclone" Mwelase. Moreover, Berman announced that the superbly talented Mwelase will immediately fight for the vacant IBO welterweight title in the US in April.

Mwelase, who is coached by former Golden Gloves heavyweight hotshot Johnny Du Plooy, knows what's expected of him and is keen to show the rest of the boxing world what type of sublime talent he has. "I'm ready for the best and don't worry before or after a fight because I know I'm the best!" said the supremely confident Mwelase.

Berman though insists that Mwelase's former Free State based promoter Blackie Seo of Robs Promotion won't be left out in the cold. "Blackie and I have come to an agreement and while Bongani's contract with him ends later in the year, Blackie will stay in the financial picture in terms of a joint-venture. Personally I believe that Blackie has done a marvellous job with this kid and now that we've agreed to work together over the next number of months, the sky is the limit".

Berman reiterated what he has always said, "We're not in this business to cut anyone out, and have taken cognizance of the fruitful relationship that has thus far made Mwelase such a riveting talent".

Du Plooy, who was one of Berman's greatest box-office attractions to date, made no secret of his joy at been reunited with Golden Gloves Promotions. "I have a good memory. Rodney made me a millionaire and with him behind us we have no doubt that Bongani can attain a level of greatness befitting his skills. Watch the 'cyclone' guys, because he's ready to envelop the entire welterweight division" said Du Plooy.

Providing the South African wins the IBO welterweight crown in April, Berman has plans already underway for a lucrative televised crunch meeting with Matthew Hatton, younger brother of Britain's powerful slugging Ricky Hatton of Manchester.

"Yes, Hatton figures prominently in our plans and it's no exaggeration to say that I'm confident Bongani, who happens to be one of the most sensational local fighters I've ever seen, will skin him when they meet!"

Matthew Hatton comes highly recommended, however, and has won 35 of his 40 bouts, since turning professional in 2000. Nicknamed "Magic", Hatton is 28-years-old and has held the IBF Inter-Continental welterweight title and IBF International welterweight crown.

In his last outing in November 2008, he won a unanimous 12-round decision over former world title challenger Ben Tackie on the undercard of Ricky Hatton's fight with Paul Malignaggi at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

"A bout between Mwelase and Hatton would be a real cracker, especially in Britain, and for Bongani, it provides an ideal route with which to announce his arrival on the world stage" concluded Berman.

Volbrecht excited about predatory Oosthuizen!

5 February 2009 — Terry Pettifer

Former SA welterweight titleholder Harold Volbrecht has trained numerous world champions, such as Brian Mitchell, Corrie Sanders, Mzukisi Sikali, Jan Bergman, Phillip Holiday and Sebastiaan Rothmann, and he obviously knows talent when he sees it! Right now though, Volbrecht feels that he has the finest prospect in South Africa for world championship honours fighting under his guidance: super middleweight Thomas "Tommy Gun" Oosthuizen!

A knockout victor in all five of his professional fights, the string-bean Oosthuizen, who is the tallest super middleweight on the planet, has given notice that in terms of punching power, he is arguably the hardest hitter 'pound-for-pound' in the country. "In the old days we'd say he stands 6' 5" in height, which is ever taller than former world heavyweight champions like Corrie Sanders and Gerrie Coetzee, and I'm saying that Thomas' unusual mixture of power and predatory instinct is as rare as it is exciting" said Volbrecht.

A man who defended his SA title a record 19 times, Volbrecht is also pretty happy that his 21-year-old charge happens to be a southpaw, which is the same stance that Harold fought from. To the unenlightened, southpaws are boxers who lead with their right hands and the saying is derived from a baseball term bestowed on left-handed pitchers.

Believing as he does that most southpaws are counter punchers, Volbrecht is especially excited that Oosthuizen, who is the son of former SA middleweight and junior middleweight champion Charles Oosthuizen, bases his battle structure around offense. "He doesn't need to be too tactical in his approach" says Volbrecht. "Any guy who can dig to the body the way Tommy does can afford to be adventurous, and thus far anyone he (Oosthuizen) has hit has gone home early".

So what does Volbrecht envisage next for his blossoming young tiger? "It's up to our promoter Rodney Berman, but we're looking to stretch Tommy's unbeaten record to about 12-0 this year and then, hopefully by the beginning of 2010, he'll be ready for a crack at some 'name' fighters from overseas."

Fight scribes will tell you that there's already a simmering grudge fight in the offing between Oosthuizen and local light heavyweight/cruiserweight 'find' Jarred "The Storm" Lovett, although there's no conceivable chance of that happening for the next 18 months.

"They're both excellent prospects and we'd have to be nuts to put them in the ring together" said Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman. "What we will do, however, is to market them alongside each other and launch a two-pronged assault on the world rankings when they've fully matured.

Incidentally both Lovett and Oosthuizen have been nominated for this year's BSA "Prospect of the Year" award and will feature at Emperors Palace on March 21 and March 31 respectively.

To quote one hard-bitten former fight sage, "I really can't say which kid impresses me more, Lovett with his trigger-fisted efficiency and menacing killer instinct, or Oosthuizen with his awesome power and albatross wingspan. Man, would they put on a fight!" Yes they would, they certainly would!

"Ndou can still be one of the brightest lights In SA Boxing" — Berman

4 February 2009 — Terry Pettifer

When you've been around Rodney Berman as long as I have, you come to realize that the Golden Gloves Promotions CEO is a man of definite passion! Passionate about his classical music, Norwegian salmon, Liverpool football club and of course, his boxers!

So when Berman informs you that former WBU junior lightweight champion Phillip "The Timebomb" Ndou will regain his star status amongst the leading fighters in the world, you have to accept the fact that Berman really believes what he's saying!

"Look, hyperbole is part and parcel of this game, and I'd be less than truthful if I said that promoters world over don't stretch the limits of their boxers' achievements. This is especially true when it comes to ‘selling' a fight and whereas certain fighters are unable to attain the heights previously projected, others often eclipse expectations in this regard".

Insofar as the 31-year-old Ndou is concerned, Berman, who will accompany Ndou to San Quentin, France for the "Timebomb's" eagerly anticipated comeback on February 14, cannot wait to see how his former WBU champion handles the going as a fully-fledged welterweight.

"He's going up three weight divisions" said Berman, "but frankly I've no doubt whatsoever that Phillip will regain the form that once made him the consensus choice as South Africa's best ‘pound-for-pound fighter of the new millennium".

In a voluble mood, Berman continued by adding, "Of all the fighter's I've ever promoted, the three most dynamic drawcards have been Charlie Weir, Johnny Du Plooy and Phillip Ndou and it's debatable if any boxer in the history of SA pugilism ever hit harder for his weight than the lean-limbed Ndou".

Indeed, when one considers the omnipotence of Ndou the "puncher", it's difficult to argue with Berman.

As a ringside observer with 40-years experience, your scribe has become all too accustomed to rainbows that fade, but when it comes to remembering the greatest hitters I've ever seen in this beautiful land of ours, Ndou is undeniably one of the most frightening swatters of the lot! Moreover, on a weight-for-weight basis, he rates comfortably amongst South Africa's top 10 punchers in living memory.

Yes, a man whose chilling effectiveness compares to that of heavyweight Kallie Knoetze, middleweights Mike Holt and Elijah Makhatini, junior middleweight Charlie Weir, welterweight Willie Ludick, and a number of others, most notably, Dennis Adams (Oh, how he could thump!), David Gogotya, Gerrie Coetzee, Ernie Eustice and Jack Kukard.

From a personal point of view, and one that Berman agrees with, one of the most splintering one-punch knockouts I've ever seen was when Ndou dismantled Carlos Rios, in 2001, with a single right-hand uppercut in the 5th round to lift the WBU junior lightweight crown! Rios, who had previously gone the distance with the incomparable Floyd Mayweather, crashed to the canvas that night as if he'd been hit by a thunderbolt!

Can Ndou rekindle the same form as a welterweight? Methinks he can!

Emperors Bill for March 21 announced, and it's a cracker!

1 February 2009 — Terry Pettifer

The Emperors Palace fistic extravaganza for March 21, has been pieced together in its entirety and fight fans can look forward to a real cracker of a tournament! This much is evident now that Golden Gloves matchmaker Ruben Rasodi has completed his line-up of names for our first major event in South Africa during 2009.

While ticket prices have yet to be confirmed, one can expect to see a very affordable event, (prices could range from under R100- to R150) and one in which the sparks will fly from the opening bout on the bill, which gets under way at 8:00 pm.

The headline event is of course South Africa's predatory Zolani Marali, who goes in quest of a fourth world title on the night when he meets Thailand's Fahsai Sakkreenin over a scheduled 12 rounds for the vacant IBO junior lightweight crown. The tall and rangy Marali (31) is expected to be in a particular venomous mood when he squares up to Sakkreenin, who judging by his record, is an extremely capable boxer with great defensive skills. The reason for Marali's meanness of mood isn't hard to find. That diabolical "loss" which Marali suffered against Australia's Billy Dib last year, and one which the entire fistic firmament critically condemned, has been weighing heavily on his mind, and he knows that henceforth the best possible way of underscoring his immense potential, will be to send his opponents home early. That could be a tall assignment, however, especially in this upcoming bout against an opponent who has only lost once in over twenty fights.

Girder-tough local heavyweight Jake Els gets a dream opportunity on the night when he faces Zimbabwe's Thamsanqa Dube over a slated 12 rounds in a bout to determine the new WBA Pan African heavyweight champion, and according to Els' mentor, Harold Volbrecht, his burgeoning tiger is ready for the challenge!

Then too, local junior flyweight sensation Hekkie "The Hexecutioner" Budler will be searching for his first International title when he opposes fellow South African Charity Mukondelelei over 12 heats in a contest for the vacant IBO Pan African junior flyweight crown. The portents signify a blistering battle between two exceptionally game and talented young fighters.

In the 85 kg Catchweight class, Local light heavyweight favourite Jarred "The Storm" Lovett will be seeking to underline his class when he meets Thailand's Anon Donpradit over 8 rounds, while one of America's "hottest" young stars, Demetrius Andrade goes in against local boxer Brian Hlope in an International welterweight 6-rounder.

To get the evening off on a fiery note, two of this country's most explosive young talents, Jackson Chauke and Octavius Mbira will respectively be meeting Peter Phelane and Sibusiso Khumalo in 4-round bouts in the flyweight and junior lightweight divisions.

Take it from someone who has been around ringside for over forty years, that the "Palace of Dreams" is the place to be come March 21.

Meanwhile there will be an extra treat in store for fight patrons, ahead of this riveting tournament.

On March 9, a boxing ring will be erected at Emperors Palace and our US business associates, Banner Promotions, will interested to know that Golden Gloves Promotions be adding to the bristling excitement, by staging regular sparring sessions and public workouts at the "Palace of Dreams" in the period leading up to the event.

Harold Volbrecht, Brian Mitchell and Jeff Ellis will also be demonstrating their skills by conducting several boxing routines, such as hitting the pear ball and heavy punch big bag as well as selling tickets to the event.

Autograph hunters should have a field day in this respect, as many other champions and ex-fighters will be in attendance.