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SA Heavyweight champion Osborne “Big Daddy” Machimane (18-6-1, with 13 knockouts) has rejoined former trainer Elias Tshabalala. “Osborne approached me fairly recently and said he wanted to come see me” said Elias, who is keen to have the big hitting heavyweight features on Emperors Palace tournaments. “Naturally we are one of Golden Gloves Promotions original trainers and we are very keen to have Machimane on at the Palace within the next few months” said Tshabalala.
At 6’3” and 192 cm, Machimane is certainly an imposing sight but the big fellow, who’s born in Tzaneen, Limpopo Province has seldom looked like the real deal and at age 31 must make his move as sooner as possible. “He turns 32 in September which is certainly not old for a heavyweight and when you consider who had taken him over in the past and that he still wants to come home to me (Nick du Randt, Harold Volbrecht) I think it’s a laudable gesture and I’m willing to give it all I’ve got in order for him to succeed” said Tshabalala.
A professional since November 2000, Osborne won his first five bouts before drawing with Isaac Mahlangu and in 2002 he was knocked out by Anton Nel in the 10th round of a brutal SA heavyweight fight. “He wasn’t ready for that fight but showed the heart and perseverance to become a champion” said Tshabalala. After winning four of his next fight, Machimane knocked out Nel in the 5th for the heavyweight title on April 16, 2005, and despite several breaks intended for him to breaking into the overseas market, Tshabalala generally felt that the Big Daddy still had to grow into the role as a SA champion before he’s realized his incredible potential.
Mind you SA title defences were nothing new to the wicked hitting Machimane, and in due time he accounted for Wiseman Dlomo (W TKO 7), Jake Els (W TKO 5), Piet Cronje (W KO 7), Corrie Sanders (W KO 1), Miyan Solomons (W TKO 5 & W 12) and Bull Muravha (W TKO 8). That Corrie Sanders (42-3) was a former two-time world champion can never be too glossed off, yet the totally focused Machimane punished him with two hefty punches before sending Sanders to the canvas where he was counted out at 2:41 minutes of the opening round.
Another Machimane loss that can be suitably refereed to was when he lost a close points decision to the big hitting Albert Sosnowski (37-1) who eventually became a plausible candidate for world heavyweight honours. The bout was held at in Gauteng.
Elias Tsabalala admits that Osborne is never that keen to go overseas but said that a lot of external pressure can be relieved by a closer working relationship with his fighter. “Look Osborne never seems a good traveller and he’s bouts in foreign countries have been disappointing to say the least. Indeed besides losing to Living Castillo in New York, Mark Potter in United Kingdom, Shane Cameron in New Zealand and Joseph Chingangu in Zambia, he seemed to lack that certain spark necessary for him to have had a fair chance of winning. It could be confidence yet that has never been a factor on home soil where’s he’s been a tremendous SA champion. If nothing else, I’d intend to give him that and then let’s see how the Big Daddy rolls, “said Tshabalala.
In terms of Osborne’s credentials as a former national heavyweight champion, your writer has noted the most successful champions to date, and the amount of title defences in the years they held the title. This may surprise you!
Title Reign: JOHNNY SQUIRES: August 12, 1922-May 10, 1930: Number of title defences: (3)
Title Reign: JOHNNY ARTHUR: January 31, 1953-Undefeated heavyweight champion in 1957. Number of title defences. (5)
Title Reign: GAWIE DE KLERK: September 28, 1957- Undefeated heavyweight champion in 1962. Number of title defences: (7)
Title Reign: GERRIE DE BRUYN: May 2, 1966-June 6, 1969- Number of title defences: (5)
Title Reign: OSBORNE MACHIMANA: April 16, 2005-(Still the reigning champion) Number of title defences: (7)
September 06, 2010 at 9:49 am, Britt said:
Now we can see the like of Osborne and Johnny Fighting.
September 06, 2010 at 2:36 pm, Terry Pettifer said:
Take it easy Britt!
September 06, 2010 at 3:04 pm, lourens said:
I DONT THINK JOHNNY IS READY FOR OSBORNE YET!!
September 06, 2010 at 3:11 pm, Simon said:
A fit Osborne would be good to see. But fighting under GGP banner is not good for the public IF Flo, Johnny and Osborne never get a chance at each other. After a couple more fights each, Johnny and Flo should surely get cracks at the S.A Heaveyweight title. In my mind an S.A title holds more credit than a made up vacant international title. 3 of S.A’s top heaveyweights, how do you pick fights for them now?
September 06, 2010 at 5:40 pm, Terry Pettifer said:
That is why we are promoters. Watch this space.
September 06, 2010 at 6:18 pm, "Uppercut" said:
Don’t let Johnny or Flo fight Osborne.Osborne is too heavy for these two up and coming boxers.They don’t need to fight him for anything.If Osborne wants to fight he must fight Anton Nel ,that will be a good fight to see again.Let Flo and Johnny go on and get all the experience they need to become the champions we want them to be .Lets leave these two guys to GGP ,sou they can make them CHAMPIONS .
September 07, 2010 at 7:46 am, Bjorn said:
Simon,
You can’t possibly say that johnny and Flo is 2 of the top 3 there is no way in hell they are!! Once they beat the likes of Anton Nel, Danie Venter even Bull Muravha then maybe, but at the moment never!
September 07, 2010 at 8:55 am, Britt said:
Bull Muravha don’t joke Bjorn
September 07, 2010 at 9:21 am, Simon said:
Bjorn, Anton Nel and Danie Venter were both respectable heaveyweights in their time. Neither is at his best anymore, although I’d admit they are still dangerous opposition. However given the chance I feel Flo and Johnny could have the better of both. Bull Muravah is okay, but NOT in the top 5.
September 07, 2010 at 9:54 am, lourens said:
the heavyweight division is a bit disapointing at the moment.
September 07, 2010 at 10:43 am, Bjorn said:
Britt I don’t really care what you think your comments are useless to me!! Simon I honestly can’t believe that your saying muller and flo will beat venter and nel there is no way in heel that will happen espessially now nel and venter is much bigger,stronger and hits much harder than both of them its easy to knock down the useless guys muller and flo boxed try knocking down osborne please
September 07, 2010 at 12:42 pm, Tanya said:
Good for Big Daddy. Come on guys, how is Johnny supposed to fight Big Daddy at 87 – 90 kgs? No, not on! Johnny should concentrate on the Cruiserweight div.
September 07, 2010 at 12:44 pm, dennis said:
Good move for Osborne. Britt I always respect your views but Muller should not fight Heavyweight at the moment. He is fast and strong and with his weight should concentrate on Cruiser.
September 07, 2010 at 12:47 pm, Eckard said:
Not so nice Bjorn! Anyway, I’ve seen the fight between Venter and Kalembe and I’ve also seen the fight between Muller and Kalembe, big difference my friend. Johnny totally destroyed Kalembe. I still think Johnny should fight Cruiser for another year or two and only them look at his built and weight before fighting Heavyweight.
September 07, 2010 at 12:48 pm, Keelan said:
Right on Tanya. Johnny has to focus on Cruiserweight at the moment. Good luck Osborne.
September 07, 2010 at 2:21 pm, On the Money said:
I cant beleive that people here actually think of Osborne as a relevant fighter. I think Flo or Johnny would handle him easily even at their lighter weights. Osbourne has a shitty work ethic and will more than likely come into the fight horridly overweight. His next fight, if he ever decides to defend that strap will be his last as champion – mark my words!
September 07, 2010 at 3:38 pm, Simon said:
Bjorn, don’t panic. The words you use and all your exclamation marks seem to suggest you feel pretty passionate about your views and that you don’t care much about genuine debate. In 24 months we’ll revisit the Nel, Venter, Muller, Simba, Osborne depate. Their records will speak for themselves.
September 07, 2010 at 3:43 pm, Simon said:
On the Money, are you judging Osborne on his last fight against Bull. Yes that was a shocker and he was WAAAAAAY out of shape. The fact that Bull then couldn’t beat him tells me that when he’s dedicated and comes into a fight prepared, he can still be one of our best. But I agree that if he defends his title again in that tubby shape he was in, it’s all over.
September 07, 2010 at 4:51 pm, Bjorn said:
Eckard you can’t judge fight like that it makes a big difference if guys fight different guys… Simon i am open for debate, i really hope they will put Muller or Flo against Nel or Venter i can promise you now they will not win with Venter it will still be on points but Nel will knock both of them out.
September 07, 2010 at 8:36 pm, "Uppercut" said:
We all know Flo and Johnny can’t stand against Nel ,Venter or Osborne.Lets Flo and Johnny fight all the other heavy-weight and let get a couple of cruiser-weight from the U.K.We can build these two guys to become good heavy-weights .Lennox lewis was a small heavyweight and he made it in the BIG WORLD of boxing.Lets support these two boxers ,who knows they might become world champions one day.Rome was not build in a day
September 08, 2010 at 7:35 am, On the Money said:
Lennox stood 6″5…
September 08, 2010 at 9:03 am, Britt said:
i love this website…
September 08, 2010 at 10:03 am, flo simba fan said:
UPPERCUT YOU GOT THE RIGHT WORDS-YOUR A MAN
September 09, 2010 at 12:53 pm, Tanya said:
Uppercut, at last someone with some sense. Neither Johnny or Flo should be fighting Osborne, Anton or Danie now, they should develop into good heavyweights not pushed into this. We have two serious fighters here guys, lets be positive and give them the opportunity to become great.
September 09, 2010 at 12:55 pm, christo said:
The best of all is, Johnny and Flo just want to make a success of themselves, no matter the weight class. WE automatically “decide” their opponents or who they should fight. I know both Johnny and Flo have such respect for Anton Nel and Osborne and they both know they have a long way to go. Give them the chance to also become champions like Tanya says.
September 09, 2010 at 12:56 pm, dennis said:
Again, Johnny should focus on Cruiser. He might develop into a heavyweight in a year or two. But I doubt whether he is scared of any of our Heavies LOL
September 09, 2010 at 9:55 pm, "Uppercut" said:
All you people talk highly about Flo and Johnny and that are good news.Lets get these two guys,to one day become champions and make some MONEY.I look at Roberto comments.I would like to know if he was a Trainer,Manager or a promoter,who his boxer would have boxed against.He said we must not use Flo and Tommy’s name in the same sentence as Roy Jones .Does he think Roy was put in the ring from his 6 fight against the best of the best.Now he were well manage.But if you look at his last fight ,nobody gave Danny Green a chance ,He got K.O.in under 2 minutes,and that is not because his too old.Any thing can happen in the boxing ring.
September 10, 2010 at 12:41 pm, Shawn said:
I enjoy reading your comments Uppercut, you know what you are talking about.
September 10, 2010 at 12:42 pm, Tanya said:
Amen to that Uppercut. Johnny and Flo will become champions.