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Two-time Hall of Famer Brian Mitchell believes that the upcoming bout between South Africa’s Tommy “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen (11-0) and Australia’s Michael Bolling (12-0) at Emperors Palace on June 19 for the vacant IBO world super middleweight title, will be the greatest fight seen in this country during 2010! “It simply has to be a cracker of a fight” said the former two-time world junior lightweight champion. “Indeed, all things being equal we should witness a bout that will be talked about for decades to come and the result could very well depend on the man who’s mentally tougher and more resolutely handles the psychological aspects of what promises to be an unforgettable event”. That Mitchell, who finished his career with a record of 45-1-3 and held both IBF and WBA world championships, is so confident of a show-stopper bout is particularly noteworthy, since Oosthuizen is not one of the fighters he manages.
“Tommy is a real predator” added Mitchell, “and because he is only 21-years-old and has already scooped three international titles, one has to say that despite Bolling’s unbeaten pedigree and reputation as a knockout artist, the lanky South African has to enter the ring a slight favourite. Mind you there’s really nothing in it and one has to remember that Bolling, who like Oosthuizen is also a southpaw is a devastating puncher, having halted no less than ten of his twelve victims”.
Golden Gloves Promoter Rodney Berman echoed Mitchell’s sentiments regarding the fight but wouldn’t be drawn into an analytical comparison other than to say, “They’re both marauding fighters who love warring in the trenches and while Oosthuizen is three inches taller, Bolling fires destructive uppercuts and hooks with both hands”.
Incidentally your scribe watched video footage of Bolling over the weekend and in assessing his strengths and potential weaknesses, was amazed at the similarity in his and Oosthuizen’s style. Like the Tommy Gun, the left-handed Australia, whose 25-years-old, is essentially a counter-puncher and his jab works overtime at long range. Shaven-skulled, he has big shoulders and relishes trading punches on the inside, where his right uppercut, left hook combination pay dividends.
“Michael is a terrific hitter and there’s no quit in the guy” said noted boxing correspondent Peter Moscardi and this view is shared by several other respectable analysts, among them man-about-boxing Jeff Ellis.
“If you were looking for a pier-six battle you couldn’t possibly have matched two guys with more savage intent” said Ellis, who’s also the publisher of the monthly boxing magazine African Ring. “Clearly neither fighter has a visible edge in terms of experience, guts, power and talent and everything could hinge on which boxer gets the jump and triggers home the first real meaningful blow”.
One of three world title bouts on the Emperors Palace “BLOCKBUSTER” event, Oosthuizen versus Bolling could, however be a far more tactical battle than many experts believe. This was pointed out by veteran observer Paul Hetz, who’s been watching fights since the Fifties. “A bout between two southpaws is either fever-pitched war or disappointing, though in this case I’m willing to bet that both fighters will hit the canvas before there’s an ultimate winner”.
May 12, 2010 at 11:54 am, Britt :-) said:
My word this article gives me such a glee of excitement, I could agree more this is going to be a nail biting thriller of a fight “Joe Calzaghe vs. Sakio Bika” Michael is an Australian Thomas Oosthuizen, I think Tommy; let’s bring out the big “Guns”
May 14, 2010 at 12:04 pm, fight fan said:
Brian if anything you promote your boxers well.
Just a pitty you are restricted to Harold only.
I think you should help all the boxers you can no matter in which camp they are.Get them help with sponserships and promote them, At a fee.
May 17, 2010 at 9:27 am, Johnny said:
Hi will admin of this web pls update the records of the boxers on the champions page Thanx
May 17, 2010 at 9:30 am, Johnny said:
And also put some updated pics on the gallery page of the Boxers in action . Regards
May 17, 2010 at 3:22 pm, Britt said:
I have a feeling after Thomas won this title “The kid Chocolate” will challenge Thomas for he’s title!
And man o man I can’t image that fight on South-African soil!
May 17, 2010 at 3:30 pm, Britt said:
I have a feeling after Thomas won this title “The kid Chocolate” will challenge Thomas for he’s title!
And man o man I can’t imagine that fight on South-African soil!
My Bad!
May 17, 2010 at 4:10 pm, Johnny said:
Hi Britt I had a look at this (Kid Chocolate)Peter Quillin Record won 21 KO 15)lost 0 (KO 0) + drawn 0 = 21 not bad .This is the way you must be build up to a Big title fight. This will be a excellent test for Tommy before the likes of Lucian Bute,Andre Dirrell,Mikkel Kessler and Carl Froch. Cant Wait
May 18, 2010 at 10:11 am, Britt:-) said:
Hey Johnny.
This will be a great test for Thomas, mean our opinion on fights does mean something right?;-)
May 18, 2010 at 8:58 pm, Classy said:
Tommys handlers are already indicating that Light heavyweight is where his future lies in which case he will be moving into Chad Dawsons’ house. I watch ESPN FNF regularly and caught an “In Your Corner” interview with Andre Dirrell who said he was keen on a move up to LH too.
Besides Dawson there is also Tavoris Cloud (if you get a chance to see this kid, give him a watch – he is a great fighter in the making). Other than that there is probably more opportunity in that division for Tommy than Super Middle, which is really loaded with established names right now…
Lets just get by Bolling first though…
May 19, 2010 at 10:25 am, Britt said:
Hey classy I am familiar with Tavoris Cloud he had a splendour encounter with Clinton Woods the other day! Great fighter, good puncher. I think it’s better for Thomas to become the best in Super-Middleweight, then later stage in he’s life move up to the (Chad Dawson’s, Travoris Cloud) even if he really wants the pound for pound crown let him fight “Marco Huck” But for now let’s overcome the Australian obstacle and maybe fight “Andre Ward” in a unifications match up for the WBA/IBO Super-Middleweight title.
May 19, 2010 at 3:56 pm, Classy said:
Huck being up there in the cruisers may be a bridge too far but he is still a kid, lets see where he heads…
May 21, 2010 at 5:21 pm, Aussie said:
Bolling will beat Oosthuizen by KO in the 3rd round.
May 25, 2010 at 10:23 am, Britt :-) said:
Aussie you have the right to an opinion but use your opinion opportunity “Wize” my friend think what you’re predicting here!