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The last time South Africa entertained a bill with such trappings, the jackpot stacked over a million-dollars and when it all was over, Hasim Rahman had knocked out Lennox Lennox to annex the heavyweight championship of the world.
Almost twenty years later, Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman, who staged the first Lennox/Rahmin event in April 2001, may be quoted as say that fortune and fame are again in the balance on November 6th and of all the tournaments since the “THUNDER IN AFRICA”, this is unquestionably the biggest and most lucrative thrill-provider of the lot! He could very well be right.
In fact, apart from the unscripted event that saw the supposedly Lewis crumple before Rahmin’s valiant right hand, this spectacle at Emperors Palace has the ingredients to be built into a sumptuous boxing event with four-throat-gripping bouts that could go either way.
Thomas “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen (11-0, with 8 knockouts) and Isaac “The Golden Boy” Chilembe (15-1, with 8 knockouts) head this championship contest when Chilembe defends his IBO world super middleweight title against the wicked-hitting Van Dyk Park southpaw, is a telling reminder that local “is often better” and if the two athletes are moved to point fingers, hurl abuses and almost come to blows, it’s a handy sign; at least for the field promoters.
To be honest, Chilembe’s total shut-out of Bolling; which earned him his forth professional title; to go with his African Boxing Union super middleweight title, WBO Africa light heavyweight title, WBC International light heavyweight and International boxing organization super middleweight crown, was achieved by the same degree that has made Chilemba such a “Golden Boy” of SA boxing. (Chilembe: won by 119-109,119-108 and 119-108)
Yet before his planned bout with Bolling was called off, Oosthuizen announced that he had had to retire because he hurt his face in a car incident. As a result, the older and more experienced Chilembe stepped into the breech.
Yet if Chilembe and Ooshuizen were firm friends who previously enjoyed sparring with each other, that all changed after Oosthuizen called Chilembe’s manager his “girlfriend” and the two men had to be physically restrained.
“I’m gonna hurt you” said Oosthuizen, why the defending champion moved forward and told the East Rand boxer to “Prepare for a solid thrashing”.
And Oosthuizen? Tommy is 6’4”sharpshooter whose traits clarify him to wear championship straps in IBO International boxing Organization light heavyweight title, vacant IBO youth super middleweight title and the WBA Pan African super middleweight title. One expert predicted a; “A remorseless bout that could in fact be won more on fitness strength and courage.”
In quite possibly the most anticipated lightweights bouts of our time, South Africa’s Jason “Badman” Bedeman (13-0-2, 10 knockouts) places his undefeated record up for grabs who he meets former IBO world featherweight champion Ji-Hoon- Kim (21-6, with 18 knockouts).
The South Korean is nicknamed the “Volcano” and whether one manages to go the distance with the fighter, which until his IBF Lightweight shot, saw him win 13 in a row, (12 by knockouts) one is assured that the 23-year-old Kim is an ardent sort who now no fear and won’t be satisfied with just one world title. “To Kim it’s all about fighting and he’ll fight anyone, anytime” said one of his handlers. Among Kim’s conquered hosts are foes remain Tommy Harris, Zolani Marali and Ameth Diaz, a pretty impressive array of scalp-locks.
Strange enough, both Bedeman, who’s 21-years-old and Kim have a file of 66.67 %.
“A human-hurricane who flies out of his corner looking for dividends”
is the way trainer Manny Fernandez feels about his fair-haired protégé, and despite the Korean’s dominance against a far wider school than Bedeman has yet to meet such a power framed lightweight. However, no matter how you aim to analyse this potentially explosive bout, one has to say that the bookies will strongly fancy Kim.
Malcolm “The Stone” Klassen (24-5-2, with 15 knockouts) is back under Promoter Berman’s banner and in his first bout he will meet tough-and-rugged Vin Vin Rufino who is a naturally southpaw.
A 28-year-old fighter from Metro-Malila, Manila has produced 13 knockouts in his career and though not a murderous hitter, he certainly qualifies as “tasty.”
Malcolmn Klassen, has his career pretty much on the cross-roads, though one has to say that he has fashioned 29-11-3. A former world champion , Klassen won the IBF super featherweight title on November 4, 2006, by outboxing Gairy St Clair over 12 rounds, but then in April 2007 he lost the title to Mzonke Fana in Cape Town. A hard worker when he wants to be, Klassen won three bouts before challenging Manuel Medina in an IBF super featherweight title.
The South African was formidable and stopped Medina in two rounds, before hunting South Africa’s most famous world champion and stopping Cassius Baloyi in the seventh round of their IBF world championship shot.
Yet three months after defeating Cassius, the Stone was lost his title to Roberto Guerrero by scorecards of 111-117, 112-116 and 113-116. In this case, the WBC Intercontinental Title bout was in the mix!
BOUTS ON THE BILL:
Grant “The Fireball” Fireball (12-2-1) VS Bongani Dlamini (6-2)
Grant Fourie is an excellent prospect with sharp hand-speed and an bludgeoning left. At 26 he is still a very young fighters and has already scored 12 wins, 1 draw and 2 losses. To date this clever-boxing tactician has only lost to Jason Bedeman (L KO 10) and Sydney Maluleka, though he has expressed great joint about this particular bout, say he’ll winning the return in “style”..
Grant is definitely a future SA champion having bested Danile Botman and Amos Nlapo in memorable contests.
Bongani Dlamini (6-2, with 5 knockouts) was knocked out Jason Bedeman in a recent title fight, but to listen to him he is ready to beat Grant Fourie. “I’ve got too wild” said Dlamini, who was hurt by a Badman just after they exchanged punches in the very first round. To the lavishly talented Dlamini, Fourie could offer him more a boxing match and less a fight and who knows, after 6-rounds who may be a barn-burner.
TO
Flo “The Demolition Man” Simba: (7-0, with 6 knockouts).
Unbeaten in seven straight Flo “The Demolition Man” Simba is South Africa’s hottest heavyweight in years and it says here that he’ll become a one of the most marketable pugilists since the halcyon days of Gerrie Coetzee.
Twenty-one-years of age, Simba is a highly respected fighter whose currently studying at Johannesburg University. As a fighter, the savage hitting Simba is a tremendously puncher and he’s close to being thought of as South Africa’s finest heavyweight prospect in over thirty-years! “Simba has the jab, the look and the overhand right and when next you see him in action, watch how his body-shots are always ready to full-fill some promise of their own!” said Trainer Harold Volbrecht.
September 24, 2010 at 2:08 pm, "Uppercut" said:
Well done GGP.This will be the tournament of the century.I’m glad Grant is back fighting ,He will have a hard Fight against Dlamini.Grant doesn’t have the power Jason got but he have a lot of skill.He will need all his experience on the night.He is is own wurst enemy ,get over it and you will win this fight.Jason you got the hardest fight of your life ,You prove me wrong so many times before,so you gone have to do it again.Flo do what you do best .Believe in yourself,don’t worry what people say about you fighting bums,you know every fight are a serious fight,and it only leads to bigger things.(stay focus on the job on hand)
Melcom welcome back ,hope you haven’t lost any of your will to win.Good lack to all of GGP boxers.All we waiting too hear are the words
and THE NEW IBO SUPER-MIDDLE WEIGHT CHAMPION OF THE WORLD
THOMAS“TOMMY GUN” Oosthuizen .Thank you
September 24, 2010 at 3:33 pm, Britt said:
This Bill needs Hekkie
September 24, 2010 at 5:28 pm, Fan of the GUN said:
I agree Britt, would be nice to end a great year of boxing, with Hekkie also on the Bill…
September 24, 2010 at 6:30 pm, "Uppercut" said:
Mr “T” as you can see the fans want Hekkie ,When is he fighting again.We do not want him to lay off for to long.Is there any news on Hekkie.
September 25, 2010 at 8:42 am, Left hook said:
guys let Hekkie fight next year. because if he fight on the november bill he will get a beating from Buthelezi and loose his belt.let Hekkie have a nice holidayz with his belt.that belt will belong to Buthelezi next year.
September 25, 2010 at 12:22 pm, Classy said:
Hex deserves a rest guys, he has had 2 wars and a step-up this year.
As for Jason v Kim – this is a Mismatch of epic proportions. Jason is not anywhere near Kims level and I predict he will get knocked out inside of 8 rounds.
Fourie v Dlamini – whoever lands first will win!
September 25, 2010 at 12:33 pm, "Uppercut" said:
Classy I have to agree with you,but Jason do surprise as from time to time
September 25, 2010 at 3:31 pm, Britt said:
welcome back Classy
September 25, 2010 at 6:54 pm, Jono B said:
Hi Classy
Have you seen Kim fight? he just has one gear, Come forward and throws a right hand and left Hook.
Kim is a real tuff fighter and can hit hard,but for people to say Jason is not ready let’s have faith in the BADMAN, hard work pays always.
By the way Jason has alot of power of he’s own.
last Saturday night Jason boxed so well and There is alot of great boxing and pure power Coming from him in the future and let us try and support our South African boxers not look For the negative in there learning stages.
Our guys are only 21 at most, they are doing great, all they need is Support,Support.
September 26, 2010 at 1:20 am, Left hook said:
Jason vs Kim.a very good fight for Jason to win.i pick Jason to win ko.
September 27, 2010 at 7:15 am, Duncan said:
I think jason might have an ace up his sleeve,but it is gonna be a war of note.I wouldve let Jason fight some one else Kim is a pit bull.
Like you say Jono B only 1 gear and that is foward at a rapid pace.
I would also like to see Hekkie on this bill he should call out Butlezi for this one why wait untill next year is he scared of Hekkie.
September 27, 2010 at 10:56 am, Public Demand said:
I agree we need Hekkie on the Bill
September 27, 2010 at 12:28 pm, Classy said:
Lest we forget how good Kims chin is and how much punishment he is willing to take just to land a shot. More experience and bigger fights against better opposition. As much of a proud South African that I am, I am also a realist – and realistically Jason has very little chance. Besides, Kim will be of more worth to Banner Promotions in the US if he has a belt then Jason would be in South Africa.
September 27, 2010 at 2:09 pm, Public Demand said:
This can never be called the bigest bill.
If it does not have the best we have. BUDLER IS THE BEST. It only has Tommy. With out out Champ it can not. Put him on THEN and THEN only can you call it the biggest event.
September 27, 2010 at 2:13 pm, Boxing lover said:
I will not be attending and neither will a number of GIRLS that I know not go if he is not on the bill. We Want Hex or else.
Give him to us PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE
September 27, 2010 at 5:09 pm, VanTheMan said:
Let The HEXECUTIONER loose. We want him on this bill to make it worth while.
September 27, 2010 at 7:46 pm, Jono B said:
Jason is a better looking fighter than Kim, in every way.
Jason will look better with the belt in South Africa and in the US!
Jason we as your fan belive in your ever improving skills.
God Bless you always
September 27, 2010 at 10:09 pm, On the Money said:
The guy with the tougher face wins this. Jason just needs to take a few shots an he is lit up like a christmas tree. I also have seen he get knocked on his backside by a jab…You really think Jason has the defensive strategy to keep the ever advancing Kim off him? The guy who most recently beat Kim was a slick mover – something Jason is not and cannot learn in the next 60 days.
Reality check done.
September 28, 2010 at 7:58 am, Fan of the GUN said:
just checked out the ticket prices yesterday, ranging from R125 – R275 …..
September 28, 2010 at 8:18 am, On the Money said:
Jason got a stay of execution…his fight with Kim is off!
September 28, 2010 at 9:02 am, Britt said:
What where did you read this “On The Money”
September 28, 2010 at 10:28 am, Brian said:
What do you mean, “stay of execution” ?
September 28, 2010 at 4:26 pm, Duncan said:
The sowetan news paper stated it out clearly.
Jason should fight Beat’i.
September 28, 2010 at 6:35 pm, Jono B said:
Duncan what do you mean Beat’i?
People have more respect for Jason, he gets in the ring and gives he’s all, like Hekie and Tommy an Simba, we should be so proud of them all.
You guys with no faith is our young boxers, what a shame!
Then rather support your oversea favourites that has a record 25/0/0.
God bless our young Lions they do our country proud.
September 28, 2010 at 6:41 pm, Patsy said:
Hi Jono B
Nicely said, we as South African Boxing supporters are so glad we have young fighters like this.
Badman just wait you will be a World Champion soon.
I am one of many fans of yours.
September 28, 2010 at 6:45 pm, Emilio said:
Badman do not listen to these Nay sayers they have on faith in young blood.
You are still my best fighter,Boxer.
You are the BADMAN.
September 28, 2010 at 8:25 pm, Left hook said:
BADMAN VS MARALI OR BADMAN VS BAETI.GOOD FIGHT.
September 29, 2010 at 7:27 am, Duncan said:
@ Jono that is not what I meant,I just said maybe Jason should fight Beat’i becuase Kim isn’t fighting him it is just a good way to end off the year for Jason.
Or he can fight Marali if they are up to it.
September 29, 2010 at 7:50 am, Classy said:
Jason should fight all the viable lightweights in SA before his handlers look for upper tier competition overseas. He is not ready yet!
September 30, 2010 at 8:45 am, Fan of the GUN said:
Hope Tommy puts Isaac “plat op sy boude” !!!
September 30, 2010 at 2:12 pm, Stephen Castle said:
Can’t wait for this bill