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Golden Gloves’ hold on the local heavyweight division could be given further impetus next week when hot prospect Johnny Muller squares off against hard man Ronnie Lategan in the main bout on the “Christmas Cracker” tournament at Emperors Palace on Tuesday.
Together with Flo Simba, Muller is one of the division’s hottest prospects, having reeled off seven wins since turning professional last year. Squat and hard-punching, Muller has an appealing come-forward style that has seen him blast through the likes of Sean Santana and Patrick Madzinga.
“He’s very exciting,” says Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves. “People are saying he should be matched with Flo Simba, but they are both top prospects. Why fight now when the fight may have greater meaning down the line?”
Berman has opted for this fight in the light-heavyweight division because the national title is at stake, plus Muller is able to make the weight limit.
“It could be a nice boost to his career to win the local belt.”
Lategan blows hot and cold, but he can bang, as witnessed in his last bout against Jerry Tlhoeale, who was stopped in two rounds. He has been a pro for a dozen years and knows how to handle himself.
Yet the best bout for fight aficianados could be the junior-lightweight scrap between Warren Joubert and Joey Stiglingh. Joubert has established a good reputation with his crowd-pleasing style, but he suffered a big setback in his last fight when he was stopped in four rounds by Sipho Taliwe for the SA title.
It was his first defeat in 18 starts and he will be looking to redeem himself against Stiglingh. Tall and rangy, Stiglingh is a fighter on the rise, having gone nine bouts undefeated.
For all that, Joubert is a big step up in competition and this will be a true measure of where he stands.
“Every boxer needs to step up a level,” said trainer Colin Nathan. “This is the moment for Joey. We aren’t kidding ourselves, though. This is a tough, tough fight.”
Tuesday’s action will open with a women’s bout featuring Rita Mwrebi against Shayvonne Pattison, followed by exciting prospect Alexander Jonker (a former three-time SA amateur champion) against Thulani Majola. The three remaining bouts are: Zane Mundell vs Sanele Mbatha, Raymond Bloem vs Ashley Dlamini and Lee Dyer vs Sylvester Zaki.
November 25, 2010 at 12:13 pm, Britt said:
””’ Herd a birdie talk to me today””
About Thomas Oosthuizen fighting in Jan. Can this be true?
November 25, 2010 at 12:22 pm, Superman said:
I like Muller but I will be behind Latengan, good luck to all the boxers….
November 25, 2010 at 12:31 pm, Adam said:
Both these guys are super nice and good boxers. My money is on young Muller to take the fight.
November 25, 2010 at 12:32 pm, christo said:
I hear that Muller made the required weight a while back already, well done. Good luck to both fighters but I will be cheering for Muller
November 25, 2010 at 12:33 pm, Temba said:
No doubt this will not be just a walk over for any of the boxers but my boy Johnny will walk away with the title.
November 25, 2010 at 12:34 pm, Zain said:
My ticket is booked and I will be shouting for young Muller. He has a lot to prove after his last disappointing bout against Moyo and I know he can do it.
November 25, 2010 at 12:35 pm, Shawn said:
My mates will be travelling with me again to watch Muller in action on Tuesday. No doubt Johnny will be worth all the travelling, he will take the title.
November 25, 2010 at 12:36 pm, Tanya said:
Good luck Johnny, we will of course be there cheering for you.
November 25, 2010 at 12:37 pm, dennis said:
I was also a bit worried about all the weight Muller had to loose but I’m sure he is responsible enough to know what he is doing. Good luck Hurricane!
November 25, 2010 at 1:11 pm, Fan of Alberton said:
POEPLE I DONT THINK SHAVONNE PATTISON IS GOING TO MAKE IT AGAINS RITA MWREBI- RITA IS GOING TO GIVE HER A FIGHT OF HER LIVE- “SHAVONNE CANT EVEN BEAT A AMATEUR LADY WHO HAD ONLY 3 BOUTS
November 25, 2010 at 1:13 pm, Flo Simba Fan said:
LEE DYER VS SALVERTER ZAKI ANOTHER FIGHT TO WATCH-
November 25, 2010 at 2:28 pm, Shaun said:
Who is Lee Dayer trainig with currently and who is Salvester Zaki training with currently?
November 25, 2010 at 2:57 pm, Giovani said:
Let me just explain to you guys how it works. If a boxer (muller) always fights at 90 kilograms plus and is comfortable, and then that boxer drops about 12 kilogram, he will be weight drained and weak. Ronnie lategan is not world class but if the fight goes past 6 rounds then muller’s health is in serious danger. This is the reason why many boxers fall into a coma, due to dehydration. All the blows to the head cause blood clots on the brain which can only be removed through operation.may the best man win
November 25, 2010 at 3:56 pm, Paybackporter said:
Giovani, in most instances I would agree with you, but Johnny fought most of his amateur career at light heavy and and super middle. If you look at him in recent fights as a heavy, he was carrying a ton of unnecessary weight.
My money is on Johnny to win within the distance, I see him being stronger and faster at light heavy.
November 25, 2010 at 3:59 pm, Johnny said:
Giovanni Pretorius is this you with that knowledge of boxing it must be you, My mate Ruben Groenewald and you think alike
November 25, 2010 at 4:00 pm, Johnny said:
Giovanni Pretorius won 29 (KO 25) + lost 2 (KO 2) + drawn 1 (Great record)
November 25, 2010 at 4:24 pm, Giovani said:
Let me give you an example of what could happen. I’m not saying it will but there’s a chance it will.If its a hard,bruising fight and muller gets knocked out and is seriously injured then Boxing SA and a lot of other people will be in trouble. Boxing sa because muller has never fought as a light heavy so how did he qualify to fight for the sa light heavy title? Look what happened to gerald mclellan, michael watson and paul ingle. Watson took the boxing board to court and won and they went bankrupt.Like i said, it might not happen but that is just a possibility.Boxing sa aren’t very professional in their approach.
November 25, 2010 at 4:48 pm, Britt said:
Giovani Are you “THEEEEE” Giovanni Pretorius…
November 25, 2010 at 10:50 pm, rampage said:
pattison is a joke rita will stop her a gal beat her up at randburg last year,but lee is wid zane mandell and zaki is wid du plooy,i go wid da zack attack
November 26, 2010 at 7:53 am, Flo Simba Fan said:
HOZIT RAMPAGE-I AGREE WITH U -SHAVONNE PATTISON IS A JOKE TO BOXING-THE GIRL THAT BEAT HER WAS A GIRL FROM ALBERTON,WITH A RECORD OF 4 AMATEUR FIGHTS-
November 26, 2010 at 7:55 am, Flo Simba Fan said:
SHAWN- LEE DYER IS WITH ZANE MANDELL& SALVESTER ZAKI IS WITH THE BIG JOHNNY DU PLOOY