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There is a quiet confidence about Stephen Castle when he discusses his forthcoming 4-round heavyweight bout with unbeaten heavyweight sensation Flo “The Demolition Man” Simba on Saturday night at Emperors Palace. A comparative veteran, though he’s only had eight professional fights that translate into 5 wins, 1 loss and 2 draws, the 38-year-old Castle has never been in better physical shape than he is at present and he radiates unmistakable menace when he talks about the big hitting Simba.
“I can’t take anything away from Simba, the kid has real talent “said Castle, “but at age 21 and after only two professional fights, he is taking a really big risk fighting me, especially in view of the way I’ve been training”.
No high-voltage puncher himself, Castle figures that his experience and all-around “ring savy” will earn him victory and send the Simba braintrust scurrying back to the drawing board in search of answers. “Simba’s manager Brian Mitchell has been predicting that I won’t last more than one round, but hey, I have a huge surprise in store for them on the night” concluded Castle.
Simba, whose knocked out both his previous opponents in the opening round, has been lauded as one of the most electrifying heavyweight talents ever to have been produced in South Africa, and notwithstanding two-time Hall of Fame entrant Mitchell’s lavish assessment of his boxer’s skills, there are nevertheless those pundits who feel an upset could be on the cards.
Former SA super middleweight champion Andre Thysse, however, is not one of them and after sparring with the Demolition Man, the likable Thysse flatly prophesized; “The fight will last as long as it takes for Simba to land cleanly”.
Meanwhile seasoned fight lover and erstwhile scribe Paul Hetz does not agree, and believes that the 38-year-old Castle could spring a real surprise. “Castle is ringwise and he won’t be intimidated by Simba, who after all is still a rookie in this game. No, after thinking about the fight clearly, I’m going with Castle to post a close points win”.
The most lucrative 4-round event ever held in South Africa, the Simba/Castle clash is one of the most alluring contests on the Emperors Palace “PRELUDE” bill, which also features a quartet of championship fights.
February 25, 2010 at 11:03 am, Brown Bomber said:
Hopefully Simba will concentrate on his ability and not on how he has been lauded after such a short time… If he accomplishes that and stays true to his talent and his training we’re in for a great fight and he just might be the victor exxperiance or no…
February 25, 2010 at 2:24 pm, Britt said:
Looks like someone is a Joe Louis
Fan amen to that.
Anyway back to the reality witch Castle should come back to.
All the best to him for he will fight a very strong and kid with a lot of talent.
February 25, 2010 at 2:25 pm, Classy said:
A kid with no amateur background v the king of the 4 rounder! Snorefest!
February 25, 2010 at 2:30 pm, Classy said:
and hopefully over in 1!!!
February 26, 2010 at 8:05 am, Simon said:
Classy your optimism is inspirational.
February 26, 2010 at 8:08 am, Terry Pettifer said:
“BROWN BOMBER” ….Simba has been “lauded” because of his rare blend of talent, and yes, this scribe is one of those responsible for the “lauding”!
February 26, 2010 at 8:12 am, Terry Pettifer said:
Snorefest only to those unaccustomed to what it takes for two superbly conditioned fighters to climb into the ring and fight their heart’s out!Whether it goes one round or four rounds, no one in the crowd at Emperors Palace will be snoring. In the ring though, that might not be the case!
February 28, 2010 at 11:37 am, Classy said:
I suppose you are right Terry. Im just a little disjointed over the lack of talent shown in the heavyweight division in recent years, especially in this country where we have so many physically big and strong men! Flo looked good but Harold is teaching him a bad defensive style.