Berman's never before revealed "ALL-TIME" choices!
25 September 2008 — Terry Pettifer
As with many people, Golden Gloves CEO Rodney Berman sometimes delays exercising an opinion, especially that is, when it involves the true ability of the countless fighters who boxed under his banner. In a retrospective mood of late, he did however agree to share some of his most intimate thoughts regarding the top boxers who've made Golden Gloves Promotions the most successful operation of its kind on the continent of Africa. Here then are 10 of Rodney Berman's hitherto unrevealed all-time choices, gleaned as it were, from over thirty years of experience.
1. Best all-around fighter: Brian Mitchell
"Known as the 'Road Warrior', Mitchell was our most successful boxer of the past and during his best years he was the epitome of dedication.
2. Most tragic waste of talent: Johnny Du Plooy and Bushy Bester
"Du Plooy was one of the two biggest box-office magnets we've ever had and he lacked little in the way of natural talent. If he had only dedicated himself to the sport, he could have been great. As for Bester, it's a well-known fact that he was one of the slickest-boxing southpaws in the history of SA boxing, but his lavish skills were negated by a care-free spirit that never allowed his talent to burgeon into fruition"
3. Biggest disappointment: Corrie Sanders:
"Besides what he did achieve, there's no telling how great he really could have been".
4. Greatest crowd puller: Charlie Weir & Johnny Du Plooy
"Weir was the most electrifying fighter I've ever promoted and the man literally oozed charisma. Next to him I'd place Du Plooy, who irrespective of his shortcomings, was a natural draw at the turnstiles"
5. Fighters that Berman would most have liked to promote: Mike Holt & Kallie Knoetze.
"Holt was a throwback to the days of the gladiators, while Knoetze was a strong and colourful heavyweight whose motor-mouth was matched only by his devastating 'bolo' punch.
6. Most memorable title reign as a world champion: Brian Mitchell & Vuyani Bungu:
"Mitchell was a two-time world junior lightweight champion who made 12 successful defences of the WBA crown. Bungu ran off an unbroken stretch of 13 defences of the IBF junior featherweight title. Moreover, both fighters retired as undefeated world champions.
7. Biggest upset winners on foreign soil: Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga & Corrie Sanders
"Be honest, how many people really thought that the forty-year-old Malinga would whip Nigel Benn and who would have tipped Sanders to vanquish the much lauded Wladimir KLitschko?"
8. Finest South African referee: Stan Christodolou.
"No, there was never anyone in his class, both as a referee and administrator".
9. Greatest personal achievement as a promoter: The "Thunder in Africa" event in 2001.
"It was the biggest boxing extravaganza ever staged in this country, and when Hasim Rahman knocked out Lennox Lewis to win the world heavyweight title, the whole world focused on South Africa".
A golden age in SA boxing
15 September 2008 — Terry Pettifer
Since April 24, 1982, Golden Gloves Promotions have promoted or co-promoted no less than 207 world championship fights in various parts of the world. With Johannesburg attorney Rodney Berman at the helm, the Golden Gloves Promotions consortium have staged some of the most spectacular events in the history of South African boxing, that included the "AMABUTHO EMPI", "THUNDER IN AFRICA", "ALL THE KINGS MEN" and "ALI AT THE PALACE" extravaganza's in 1997, 2001, 2004 and 2007 respectively.
Moreover, amidst the chandelier splendour of South Africa's most spectacular gaming resorts, the Golden Gloves banner has welcomed some of the most illustrious names in world boxing, amongst them Lennox Lewis, Mavin Hagler, Roberto Duran, Laila Ali, Don King, George Foreman, Winky Wright and Jeff Fenech, as well as this country's most acclaimed and loved statesman Nelson Mandela.
Reluctant to accept the personal tributes that have come his way, Golden Gloves Promotions CEO Rodney Berman has, nevertheless, attained universal fame as a pathfinder and boxing alchemist, whose achievements have eclipsed those of any other homespun promoter in the annals of the South African prize ring.
Having been the first South African promoter ever to forge links with the IBF (International Boxing Federation) Berman's pilot light has served as an inspiration to his peers and together with former world bantamweight champion Vic Toweel and boxing administrator and official Stan Christodolou, he has undoubtedly been one of the three most influential personalities in the history of the gloved science in this country.
Listed among the world champions that Berman has helped to fashion, are names like Brian Mitchell, Harry Simon, Vuyani Bungu, Corrie Sanders, Shane Mosley, Hasim Rahman, Thulani "|Sugarboy"| Malinga, Mbulelo Botile, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Phillip Ndou, Dingaan Thobela, "|Baby"| Jake Matlala, Phillip Holiday, Hawk Makepula and Welcome Ncita, a glittering array of talent to be sure!
Having started promoting in 1977, Berman is one of the most experienced boxing personalities in the world at present, and he has worked with a number of the planets most renowned entrepreneurs, listed amongst whom are Bob Arum, Don King, Frank Warren, Cedric Kushner, Adrian Ogun and Artie Pellulo.
Yet despite his longevity as South Africa's most successful sports promoter, the 65-year-old Berman feels that there are still "|mountains to climb"| and one of his greatest dreams is still to produce a local black world heavyweight champion.
Currently involved with Artie Pellulo of Banner Promotions, Berman has hopes of staging a mammoth extravaganza at Emperors Palace Casino in February 2009, that could prove alluring to one of the major television networks in the United States.
Chilembe set for stardom
7 September 2008 — Terry Pettifer
Isaac Chilembe (11-1) is a 20-year-old fighter who is set for international stardom! So says Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman ahead of the Malawi-born boxer's forthcoming ABU (Africa Boxing Union) super middleweight title bout with Ghana's Charles Adamu (15-3) on the Gree-Air Conditioners world title event at Emperors Palace on September 13. The Chilembe/Adamu encounter is the main supporting bout of the evening, playing second fiddle to the headline attraction. Yet it is the Chilembe/Adamu contest which has elicited a great deal of comment the last week, with several analysts questioning Berman's wisdom at accepting such an important fright so soon in the talented Chilembe's career.
Berman, nevertheless, has responded to the criticism by citing Chilembe's rapid "growth" as the key to accepting the fight. "Since he turned professional, Chilembe has been a revelation, and he just gets better and better" said Berman. "Moreover, I truly envisage this kid taking the international scene by storm, and don't get a shock if he goes on to become one of Africa's finest pugilists in years".
That Berman regards Chilembe as an awesome find, is beyond dispute, and he has even gone on record as saying that along with the likes of other Dick Tiger, Azumah Nelson and Brian Mitchell, the baby-faced slayer from the Nick Durandt stable could become an all-time great. "This may sound somewhat presumptuous, but I've really been electrified by what I've seen of Isaac and cannot recall a more lavishly talented boxer/fighter in the super middleweight division in years. Hey, when this kid fights, the hairs stand up on the nape of my neck and if he continues to maintain his trigger-fisted growth, he'll become a world beater within the next eighteen months" concluded Berman.
Hasn't Berman in fact left himself open to a torrent of criticism, should Chilembe fail to beat Adamu? "I know that it's been said in some quarters that I'm laying Chilembe's plaudits on with a trowel, so to speak, but believe me the more I see of him, the more I figure he's a rare diamond in the division. Will he have the beating of Adamu? Well that goes without saying, and while I do not underestimate the warrior from Ghana, I reckon Chilembe will post a knockout victory inside eight rounds" said Berman.
Should Chilembe live up to Berman's overwhelming expectations, there could also be a place for him on another Golden Gloves tournament in a couple of months.
"We need to keep Isaac busy and with the tremendous following he's gleaned at Emperors Palace, don't be surprised if he participates there again, before the end of the year", said Berman.
