Golden Gloves

Acclaimed sportswriter Rodney Hartman may be seriously ill, but on Tuesday night at Emperors Palace, the doyen of South African sportswriters managed an all-embracing smile to show his appreciation for the boxing tournament hosted in his honour at the popular Theatre of Marcellus. The event, which was organized by GGP CEO Rodney Berman and man-about-boxing Jeff Ellis in order to assist Hartman with his escalating medical bills, drew a full-house audience and was the second of two back-to-back boxing tournaments in two days promoted by African Ring in conjunction with Golden Gloves Promotions.

Two-time boxing Hall of Famer Brian Mitchell was there to pay tribute to the celebrated scribe who had written the former world junior lightweight titleholder’s autobiography “Champ” in 1990. “Rodney is one of the true gentlemen of South African sport” said boxing’s ultimate Road Warrior, “and his literary genius is matched only by his impeccable mannerism as a human being. Certainly he deserves recognition as one of the true legends in his particular field of endeavour”.

African Ring Promoter Jeff Ellis applauded Hartman for his “unswerving dedication to sport” and the “resolute courage of his convictions”.

Golden Gloves Promotions CEO Rodney Berman could not attend Tuesday evening’s event, but sent a message which aptly illustrated the tremendous respect that he has for Hartman. “Rodney stands out with the likes of Paul Irwin, Chris Greyvenstein and H.B. Keartland as one of the greatest essayists in the history of South African sport and it was an honour and privilege to have been associated with this event. I only hope that the evening’s memorabilia auction will do justice to Hartman’s immense service to South African sport and raise sufficient funds to help alleviate some of his ongoing medical costs”.

Certainly that appeared to be the case as the total raised from the various items on auction realized over R100,000.

Fight action on the night saw Rupert “The Natural” Van Aswegen (78.80) lift the vacant SA light heavyweight title per courtesy of a hard fought 12-round split decision over tough-as-teak Balemo Weliya (79.16). At the end of a grueling fight, two of the three judges favoured the more skilful Van Aswegen, who upped his record to 19-6-2, while Weliya drops to 11-3. The judges handed in scorecards of 117-113, 113-115 and 116-113. This writer’s uninvited arithmetic had Van Aswegen ahead by two points; 116-114.

OTHER RESULTS:

*Junior featherweight: Johannes Nthontho (W 4) Ashley Dlamini

*Junior lightweight: Joey Stiglingh (W 6) Stephen Ntshingila

*Light heavyweight: Rudy Bruwer (W TKO 3) Jerry Tlhoaela

*Heavyweight: Nsitu Mbaya (W KO 3) Basil Ray