Marali aims at fourth World Title on "showpiece" of boxing!

22 January 2009 — Terry Pettifer

South African fight fans are in for a real treat when Golden Gloves Promotions, in association with Gree Air Conditioners, SuperSport and Emperors Palace host what Promoter Rodney Berman has called "a showpiece of boxing" on March 21 at Emperors Palace.

Heading the bill is a 12-round vacant IBO junior lightweight title bout between three-time world champion Zolani Marali and Thailand's Fahsai Sakkreenin! That Marali was blatantly "robbed" in his crunch meeting with Australia's Billy Dib in 2008 is a fact agreed upon by even hard-bitten Australian critics, and with a new management team (trainer Colin Nathan, manager Brian Mitchell) at the helm, Marali is champing-at-the-bit to re-establish himself amongst the leading lights in the junior lightweight ranks.

"This bout will pave the way for bigger and better things to come" said Mitchell, himself a former WBA and IBF junior lightweight king, and only the second South African ever to be inducted into the international Boxing Hall of Fame.

Moreover, Rodney Berman has no doubt that the hard-hitting Marali will capture the attention of the international media during 2009, and it's noteworthy that Berman's US business associate Art Pellulo will be attending the bill on March 21.

The Marali-Sakkreenin contest will have an intriguing undercard, however, featuring local heavyweight hopeful Jake Els against Zimbabwe's Thamsanqa Dube for the WBA Pan African heavyweight title and Hekkie "The Hexecutioner" Budler against fellow homespun favourite Charity Mukondelelei in a 12-round bout to determine the new IBO Pan African junior flyweight champion.

Then there's a real treat in store for local fight lovers, when America's former Olympian Demetrius Andrade makes his South African debut against an opponent yet to be announced. Freely tipped as a future world beater, Andrade, who is a 6' 1" welterweight, is a breathtaking talent and this will only be his third outing in the professional ranks.

Add to the illustrious line-up the likes of unbeaten light heavyweight prospect Jared "The Storm" Lovett, who'll be in action against Thailand's Anon Donpradit in an international Catchweight bout over eight rounds, as well as 4-round starts for Octavius Mbira- a wonderfully gifted junior lightweight, and former SA Olympian Jackson Chauke, and Berman's bubbling enthusiasm is not difficult to fathom.

"By the end of this year, the 20-year-old Budler will have become a household name in South African sport" said Berman. "Furthermore, it's difficult to imagine a more riveting light heavyweight prospect than Jared Lovett, who according to most observers should walk away with this year's 'Prospect of the Year' award.

As for Jake Els, the experienced Berman said, "Jake is a reborn heavyweight since teaming up with Harold Volbrecht and I fully expect him to go on to great heights in the next two years. Moreover, he has the looks, power and heart which are so essential in heavyweight boxing".

*Meanwhile it's all systems go ahead of Phillip Ndou's eagerly awaited comeback to the ring on Fenruary 14, in San Quentin, France. Indeed, Ndou has been showing some wonderful form in the gymnasium and will now be campaigning as a fully-fledged welterweight. "I saw him spar with Zolani Marali the other night and believe me, Phillip is looking tremendous" said Brian Mitchell.

Rodney Berman also emphasized the importance of former two-time IBO world champion Thomas Mashaba's bout with IBO featherweight king Fernando Beltran in the USA on March 20. "Both boxers are promoted by Banner Promotions and Golden Gloves, but needless to say we'll be hoping that Thomas blazes his way to a third world championship" concluded Berman.

Golden Gloves cavalcade ready to roll!

14 January 2009 — Terry Pettifer

With former local ring icon Phillip "The Timebomb" Ndou champing-at-the-bit ahead of his eagerly-awaited return to the ring on February 14, in San Quentin, France, the rest of the Golden Gloves stable of fighters have an equally exciting stretch ahead of them. Firstly we'll see Thomas Mashaba challenge Fernando Beltran for the IBO featherweight crown on March 20 in the USA, and one night later, at Emperors Palace, South Africa, former three-time world champion Zolani Marali heads a riveting bill when he climbs through the ropes to fight for the vacant IBO junior lightweight title. His opponent will be announced sometime this week. The Emperors Palace undercard is, however, a fight fans dream!

Heavyweight contender Jake Els has seemingly re-invented his career after joining ace mentor Harold Volbrecht and will be contesting the WBA Pan African heavyweight title in the main supporting bout on the roster.

Then too, the spectacular and unbeaten Hekkie "The Hexecutioner" Budler will continue on his quest for international recognition when he fights for the vacant All-Africa junior flyweight championship.

Lightweight sensation "Octavius" Mbira also makes a welcome appearance on the Emperors Palace line-up and looks to up his undefeated stretch, which until now, has had experts sit up and take notice. Certainly Mbira could become one of the most explosive ring local talents in years, and he has been superbly steered by up-and-coming trainer Colin Nathan, who at this point in time has a gymnasium chock-full of aspiring young stars.

Former Olympian Jackson "The Stingray" Chauke is already making tongues wag, and Golden Gloves Promotions CEO Rodney Berman believes that Chauke could become one of this country's most electrifying boxers ever, at the flyweight limit.

Then there's Jared "The Storm" Lovett! What more can one say about this potentially great light heavyweight prospect? What seems indisputable is the fact that Lovett should lift the "Prospect of the Year" trophy without any trouble whatsoever. If he doesn't I'll cut off my beard!

Given the splendid "product mix" for March 21 it may surprise boxing fans to learn that Jeff Ellis of African Ring Promotions is staging a glittering "Box & Dine" event at the same Emperors Palace Venue on March 31, and –as is the case with Ellis – the fight card is as exciting as it is diversified.

Golden Gloves Promotions are working hand-in-glove with Ellis on this particular event and no less than four of our blossoming stars will feature on his 8-bout line-up. They are Grant "The Fireball" Fourie, who'll be challenging for the WBA Pan African junior lightweight title (thank goodness he is coming down a division), Thomas "The Tommy Gun" Oosthuizen, Kgotla Baeti and former amateur heavyweight champion Robbie Lombard, who will make his professional debut on the night.

Not that Ellis hasn't fielded some explosive talent of his own, such as heavyweight Bazil Ray 9a great value-for-money fighter), Anthony Van Niekerk, Charles Weyers and Joey Stigling!

Christodolou & Berman pledge to reignite WBA connection In SA!

12 January 2009 — Terry Pettifer

South Africa's most respected boxing official in history, Stan Christodoulou and Golden Gloves Promotions CEO Rodney Berman have pledged to reignite the influence of the WBA (World Boxing Association) in South Africa! This was confirmed yesterday when these two legends of South African boxing, together with this country's consensus choice as greatest ever "pound-for-pound" fighter Brian Mitchell had a luncheon in Meyersdal, south of Johannesburg.

The triumvirate of Mitchell, Berman and Christodoulou will naturally be jetting to the Unites States in June, for Mitchell's induction into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, and while they'll be savouring the honour of the "Road Warrior" becoming only the second South African (the other being Christodoulou five years ago) ever to receive Ringdom's most prestigious award, preparatory talks will also be conducted with certain WBA officials regarding numerous Golden Gloves' fighters. Not that Berman is severing his strong ties with the IBO. "The IBO are an important sanctioning organisation and we have a cordial working relationship with their President Ed Levine" said Berman.

That said, Golden Gloves Promotions move to re-establish contact with the WBA is a hugely positive step and one which is sure to reap substantial benefits for Berman's array of fistic stars.

"Let's never forget that the WBA were the first sanctioning body ever to extend the hand of friendship to South Africa back in the early Seventies and they have always commanded the respect of all boxing officiators" said Berman.

Berman admitted, however, that it's been a "long time coming". He added, "We're hopefully all a lot wiser than we were back in the Eighties and I feel that Stan Christodoulou's involvement in our plans will serve to enhance the status of our fighters in 2009. Certainly his experience and salutary achievements in international boxing in general and the WBA in particular, augurs well for the immediate future of our plethora of burgeoning talent".

Three of the most influential personalities in the history of the SA prize ring, Mitchell –whose now confining his activities to managing several Golden Gloves fighters – Christodoulou and Berman are confident that the forthcoming twelve months will herald the glow of a new and exciting dawn in South African boxing.

Christodoulou was equally upbeat about 2009 and commented, "Rodney Berman is unquestionably one of the most innovative boxing men in the world today and he set a benchmark for South African promoters with his uncanny insight and unparalleled success. I'm really looking tremendously forward to assisting him wherever possible".

The immediate Golden Gloves roster includes a February 14th date in San Quentin, France, where Phillip "The Timebomb" makes his long-awaited comeback to the ring, possibly as a junior welterweight. The feature attraction on the night sees another Golden Gloves world champion, Christobal Cruz of Mexico defend his IBF featherweight title.

Then the action moves to the USA on March 20, when South Africa's former two-time world titleholder Thomas "Merciless" Mashaba challenges Mexico's IBO featherweight champion Fernando Beltran for the title. Beltran is also affiliated to Golden Gloves in accordance with our alliance with Banner Promotions in America.

The following night (March 21) at Emperors Palace, South Africa, there's a blockbuster event on the cards, headed by three-time world champion Zolani Marali, who will climb through the ropes to challenge for the vacant IBO junior lightweight crown. His opponent has yet to be announced.

As for the rest, there are plans in motion for a number of aspiring young champions, amongst them Thomas Oosthuizen, Jared Lovett, Octavius Mbira, Hekkie Budler, Grant Fourie and Ashley Dlamini, as well as the eagerly awaited debut of former SA amateur heavyweight champion Robbie Lombard.

Marali is SA's best since Mitchell! — Berman

21 December 2008 — Terry Pettifer

Three-time world champion Zolani Marali is the finest South African junior lightweight since the days of the great Brian "The Road Warrior" Mitchell! So says Golden Gloves Promotions CEO Rodney Berman.

"Marali has the inherent skill and natural fibre of which legends are made" said Berman, who is currently in the USA negotiating various business deals for his array of local stars, as well as his two Mexican world champions, Fernando Beltran (IBO featherweight champion) and Cristobal Cruz (IBF featherweight champion).

The fact that Marali was blatantly short-changed in the eyes of the international media when he lost on points to Australia's Billy Dibb earlier this year, hasn't escaped Berman's attention, or that of the majority of American scribes who follow the game.

"Matter of fact" said Berman from America, "the vast majority of pundits in this country (USA) believe that Marali could have the beating of any junior lightweight in the world and we'll be keen to underline that point in the New Year".

That Marali will be fighting for the vacant IBO junior lightweight crown at Emperors Palace in March is a calculated move on the part of South Africa's most successful promoter and Berman underscored his desire to have the East London-born boxer rated by every prominent boxing organization before April, 2009.

"Marali is no ‘plastic champion' and his name is already known throughout American boxing circles because of the debacle with Billy Dibbs," said Berman. "Having said that we aim to increase his credibility amongst all the sanctioning organizations, thereby affording him the widest possible spectrum of option".

A man who has produced over 65 world champions since 1990, Berman is clearly over the moon about Marali's level of talent.

"Zolani is a naturally gifted southpaw with power aplenty and now that he's joined Colin Nathan's ‘Hot-Box; gymnasium in Highlands North we feel that he will finally live up to his incredible potential" said Berman. "Moreover, the fact that there are already three other world rated South Africans in the same weight division does not perturb us in the least. In fact we'd gladly accommodate them in the future, providing of course it suits our specific needs. As it happens we are already in talks with our US business associate Art Pellulo with a view to meeting Doug Loughrey of ESPN in the next two days, and formulating big-money match up's for 2009", concluded Berman.

Meanwhile, the CEO of GGP busy is relaxing in the ‘Big Apple' before, what he believes, will be the most vibrant and exciting year in the history of the Golden Gloves Consortium.

Watch this space!!!!

Berman's New Year "Fistic Bonanza"!

19 December 2008 — Terry Pettifer

There is a fistic bonanza in store for South African fight fans, per courtesy of Golden Gloves Promotions. In announcing details of the March extravaganza at Emperors Palace Casino, Golden Gloves CEO Rodney Berman said, "Suddenly this tournament at Emperors has taken on incredible proportion. In fact there will now be two IBO world title belts and two ABU championship straps at stake as well as an international contest for one of our most electrifying young talents". Though Berman could not as yet confirm the names of all the opponents who'll be sharing the ring with his crop of SA elite, he did release some interesting details. "Firstly, I'm pleased to announce that Zolani Marali will be challenging for the vacant IBO junior lightweight title and Bongani Mwelase will be aiming to lift the vacant IBO welterweight crown". Berman added, "Then too, we'll see both Hekkie Budler and Jake Els fighting for ABU (African Boxing Union) titles in the junior flyweight and heavyweight divisions respectively."

Both Marali and Mwelase are former world titleholders and while Mwelase lost his WBF title on the scales, due to being overweight for his last fight, Marali has already held three world titles and has only suffered one defeat in his career. Indeed, Marali's disgusting "loss" to Australia's Billy Dib was one of the most deplorable decisions in the history of boxing! Unbeaten, the hard-hitting Mwelase has had 13 bouts and his mentor Johnny Du Plooy believes that his fighter has all the tools to win the IBO welterweight title.

Last but by no means least, the bill will have the additional presence of Jared "The Storm" Lovett, an unbeaten light heavyweight prospect who rates as one of this country's most exciting "finds" since the days of Charlie Weir. The explosive punching Lovett will be facing an international rival yet to be announced.

Berman upbeat over his stable of boxers for 2009!

17 December 2008 — Terry Pettifer

South Africa's most successful boxing promoter in history, Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions, is upbeat about his stable of fighters for 2009 and yesterday promised local fans twelve months of vibrant action.

"We have the fighters we want and the trainers of our choice and I can state unequivocally that 2009 will be a year long to be remembered" said Berman.

Headline thrills are of course a must in professional boxing and Golden Gloves Promotions have identified the players who'll make indelible impressions on both the global and local scene. "Emperors Palace will be a hotbed of action this coming year and we aim to get the ball rolling there in March with a mega-action tournament that will illustrate the tremendous wealth of talent at our disposal" said Berman.

With the likes of two-time world champion Thomas "Merciless" Mashaba, former WBU junior lightweight king Phillip "The Timebomb" Ndou and three-time world champion Zolani Marali forming the front-line base for international conquest, Berman also has the crème de la crème of blossoming young stars that include the riveting Jared "The Storm" Lovett, Ashley Dlamini, "Octavius" Mbira, Grant "The Fireball" Fourie, Jackson Chauke,Thomas "Tommy Gun" Oosthuizen and Hekkie "Hexecutioner" Budler. Add to that roll-call of names up-and-coming heavyweight contender Jake Els and an electrifying new heavyweight signing who'll soon be unveiled to the media, and Berman's optimism is clearly underlined.

"Marali is, in my opinion, the finest junior lightweight in the country –bar none – and he'll go about proving it in 2009" said Berman.

Add to the superb mix Berman's pair of Mexican world champions, Cristobal Cruz (IBF featherweight champion) and Fernando Beltran Jnr (IBO featherweight champion) and the portents are there for a roller-coaster ride that should herald numerous titles over the coming months.

"Before the end of 2009 this consortium will have maximised our talent-laden ranks and you can bet the farm that we'll have at least another three world champions before the end of next year" concluded Berman.

With trainers such as Harold Volbrecht, Mick Castellani and Colin Nathan handling most of the coaching duties its understandable that Berman finds it difficult harnessing his exuberance. "In all my years in professional boxing, stretching back to 1977, I've never known such a glittering line-up of talent and besides established stars like Marali, Mashaba and Ndou, at least three of our ‘young lions' have been earmarked for international titles, though its not fortuitous at present to say which titles we're aiming at".

Berman gets back from overseas next week after some far-reaching talks with several of his business confidants.

Mitchell to be inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame!

10 December 2008 — Terry Pettifer

South Africa's former undefeated WBA and IBF world junior lightweight champion Brian Mitchell is to be inducted into the World Boxing Hall of Fame in Canastota, New York. He is only the second South African, after Stan Christodoulou, and the very first fighter from these shores to earn boxing's most treasured award.

Commenting on the induction, Mitchell said, "I feel greatly honoured and would like to place on record my deep appreciation to all concerned who cast their votes" said Mitchell. "In particular I'd like to thank Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman who has worked tirelessly in regard to my induction. As a former Golden Gloves fighter, it pleases me to share this moment with Rodney, who has been like a father to me over the years" concluded Mitchell.

The tie-up between Mitchell and trainer Colin Nathan also came under the spotlight, since Mitchell will henceforth be managing a number of Nathan's splendid array of fighters.

Commenting on other South Africans who he feels should be considered for the Boxing Hall of Fame, Mitchell said, "Oh, there's definitely a number of others who should duly come into the reckoning, amongst them Rodney Berman, whose promoted over 200 world title bouts and produced over sixty world champions, Vic Toweel who was South Africa's first and only universally recognized world champion and Vuyani Bungu who defended his IBF junior featherweight crown a record 13 times".

Mitchell, who was known as the "Road Warrior" because he never had the opportunity of defending his WBA title on his home turf, fashioned an overall record of 43 wins, 1 loss and 3 draws. Twenty of his victories were scored by way of knockout. He won the WBA junior lightweight championship on September 27, 1986 at Sun City and after posting twelve successful defences (10-0-2) lifted the IBF junior lightweight crown from Tony Lopez on September 13, 1991. A consensus choice as this country's "Fighter of the 20th Century" he has subsequently been a successful manager and trainer and guided Namibia's Harry Simon to the WBO junior middleweight title in 1998, when he defeated Winky Wright at Hamaanskraal.

Amongst the other awards that Brian has received over the years, were six successive State President Awards (1986-1991), five SA Boxer of the Year awards and an Honorary Carved Gold Medal from the then SA Boxing Board of Control.