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IBO champion Hekkie Budler
Happy boxing new year to you all.
Seldom have I anticipated a new year with quite as much excitement as this one, and that’s due to the unbelievable talent at Golden Gloves’ disposal.
My wish list for 2011 is a long one and on top of it is a mountain I have yet to summit. South Africa deserves a man of colour to be a bona fide heavyweight contender. I believe that Flo Simba is that man, provided he is managed and promoted correctly. Getting him to the top of the mountain is my big aim for now and the years to come.
The crowds he is attracting to Emperors Palace grow exponentially and what I’m hoping is that by the end of 2011 he is recognised and acknowledged as a genuine international heavyweight prospect who can go all the way.
The Golden Gloves boxing cupboard is close to bursting: there’s also Tommy Oosthuizen, Hekkie Budler, Isaac Chilemba, Joey Stiglingh and more.
Hekkie, of course, has a massive fight later this month on “The Night of the Big Little Men” tournament, while next month Isaac travels to the US for a great opportunity – headlining an ESPN card.
He has a superb record and has a chance to impress American fight fans on a great audience platform like ESPN. He’s up against a credible opponent in defence of his IBO super-middleweight bout. If he looks the part, it will open plenty of doors for him. He must do the business and be as aggressive as he was against Oosthuizen recently.
I really hope boxing continues to thrive, both for Golden Gloves and the country’s other promoters.
I’m also expecting good things from our new-found association with the World Boxing Council. It’s a relationship that must grow and develop for the betterment of both. The WBC needs to be strong in Africa and I want to be part of that.
Internationally, like every other boxing fan, I hope that the Pacman-Mayweather fight can be made for 2011. If it comes off it will re-establish boxing as the number one combat sport in the world. It will break all records and have an incredible impact on the industry.
There are very few truly compelling fights out there, but I would like to see Wladimir Klitschko and David Haye engage in a unification match. It has huge public appeal, but I’m not sure it will be much of a fight – Klitschko should walk straight through him. Haye has done well, but he would be too small against one of the Klitschkos.
Don’t forget, Golden Gloves’ action starts on January 27 at Emperors Palace. I hope to see you there.
– Rodney Berman
January 05, 2011 at 3:36 pm, Lulama Ncita-Somdaka said:
I have been trying to get hold of Mr Berman, i am Welcome Ncita’s sister. Since my brothers retirement from boxing i have been trying to ascertain ways of compiling DVD’s which will contain my brothers best fights. My intention is for these DVD’s to be put on Market and returns generated be payable to Welcome. Could you Please Mr Berman Assist. Your assistance will be much appreciated.
January 06, 2011 at 3:39 am, Johnny said:
Well done GGP 2011 will be the year of SA boxing ,Mr Berman you only got one thing wrong (Dawid Haye will walk through the Klitschko`s)
January 06, 2011 at 12:35 pm, Wayne said:
I would like to know from all the guys and girl who usualy submit there comments what they think the out come would be if Flo and Venter had to square up.I have not as yet received a response or comment from any one at Golden Gloves as to why this fight fell through. Pearsonaly I think Flo’s camp are avoiding a showdown with Venter.Why else is Flo fighting an opponent that was beaten by Venter in his last outing.
January 06, 2011 at 12:49 pm, Rodney Berman said:
Hi Lulama, I hope you are well.
I get many such requests, but unfortunately ownership vests in television, in this instance SuperSport.
You would have to approach them.
Best wishes, Rodney
January 06, 2011 at 2:35 pm, Britt said:
I think, Flo will have he’s hands full with Danie.
January 06, 2011 at 4:58 pm, Pierre Burger said:
@Johnny – are you serious? David Haye got knocked out cold by Carl “The Cat” Thompson at cruiserweight.
January 06, 2011 at 5:53 pm, "Uppercut" said:
Wayne,you are right on this one.If Flo is as good as they all say why side step Venter and fight someone who lost against Venter.The fight was on until his trainer come back from mexico then every thing changed.So we must ask Harold to come up with sum excuse .Don,t understand me wrong Flo can punch ,that we all saw,but a fight against Venter would have had more attraction than against Sting.lets see maybe his next fight will be against Venter
January 07, 2011 at 8:20 am, Piet said:
flo is on fighting against venter because briant mitchel and harold volbregt did not want that fight. Instead flo is now boxing a guy wiv more losses dan wins. I will not attend the show. I refuse to pay to see such mismatch.
January 07, 2011 at 11:49 am, Britt said:
@Piet, I agree, why do they match flo with someone like “Sting” no offence, but the guy is no match for Flo. Let Flo fight Bull is a much better opponent.
January 07, 2011 at 12:34 pm, tanya said:
I have a hell of a lot of respect for Flo’s abilities and boxing skill, this guy should be fighting opponents more matching these skills in order to grow. Neither Venter or Sting is an equal match for Flo. Venter knocked out Sting and Ilungu knocked out Venter. How about a fight between Flo and Ilung or Flo and Tabiso, now that would be worth watching.
January 07, 2011 at 12:36 pm, rick said:
Has it been decided who will be Muller’s opponent for the title defence in February Mr Bermann?
January 07, 2011 at 1:00 pm, Wayne said:
It would be nice if we could get a comment or a response from either Brian or Harold as to why Venter was side steped.Flo really needs to prove him self and a fight against Sting just wont do it.Ihis is a great site to voice one’s opinion and share our views on fights but it would be better if the trainers and managers can answer our questions and express there views.
January 07, 2011 at 5:03 pm, Piet said:
it all politics. I’m just fed up because we have to read about flo being de first world heavy champion from africa. But who has he boxed against so far in his career that we can believe you golden gloves? Brian mitchel and harold decided that he must not fight danie venter. They maybe think he is too dangerous for flo. So instead of giving de fans a great fight, they withdrew and choose instead a bum who has lost more dan he won. What a rip off. Sies.
January 07, 2011 at 5:44 pm, ingozi said:
why not against ilunga ”junior”makabu he will knock flo badly and look what junior did 2 makabu sho sho
January 10, 2011 at 12:53 pm, martin said:
No guys, I think Flo is everything said to be but definately needs stronger opponents. I would love to see Flo against Bull or Makabu. Yes, any word on Johnny Muller’s next opponent?
January 10, 2011 at 3:48 pm, Britt said:
First of all, welcome back hope you all had a blessed festival season.
I agree with all the above comments made about Flo whom needs to fight more creditable fighters, and not your average journeymen.
Then I’m not going to agree with you on the Flo vs Makabu, I spoke to a boxing experts and he told me, this guy (Makabu) should be watch for, I quote “he’s like a young Tyson @ work” I’m not sure about the facts but I trust my resources on this one, the gut is too dangerous for Flo keep him far away from Flo.
Maybe let Makabu vs Tabiso now that will be a fight worth watch let Flo fight Tyson Fury, the guy will be a perfect fight for Flo.
Anyway let’s make 2011 a year of boxing extravaganza.
God bless
January 11, 2011 at 10:35 am, Britt said:
First of all I would like to welcome all the GGP fans back.
Hope you all had a blessed festive season.
Makabu Is a very dangerous fighter, I’ve heard from a boxing expert that this guy is world class material, I’m not sure of the facts but trust my resources.
Let Flo fight Tyson fury.
January 12, 2011 at 10:23 am, Piet said:
for the last time. Flo is not a heavy weight. So people, stop promoting him as the next heavy weight champion. He is fighting bum after bum. I wont survive in europe amongst the top 10 european cruiser weights.
January 12, 2011 at 12:45 pm, tanya said:
Welcome back all. I agree Makabu is a good boxer but don’t throw away Flo. Flo can be great but Flo needs to grow with the right opponents.
January 12, 2011 at 12:47 pm, pete said:
Would both be great fights. Has an opponent been named for Johnny Muller?
January 13, 2011 at 10:40 am, Duncan said:
Flow is overrated.
stop feeding him bums and get him a proper fight.
It seems that flow is the only fighter singed with GGP it is all everybody talks about let flow prove himself against a real contender.Elvis Moyo can win Flow if he gets the proper training/trainer
January 13, 2011 at 12:38 pm, tanya said:
Duncan I don’t feel Flo is overrated, the guy has huge potential. I do however feel he needs better opponents.
January 13, 2011 at 1:45 pm, Boxing supporter said:
Flo is a great kid. Lets not hang him because his manager and trainer are very very very selective who they put up against him.
The boxer is just doing what he is told.
Give Brian and Harold hell.
They make the rules.
January 14, 2011 at 9:19 am, Wayne said:
Would be great if we could hear from Brian and Harold and even some of the fighters.
February 08, 2011 at 11:14 am, Lulama Ncita-Somdaka said:
Morning Rodney
Thanks for your advice much appreciated. I am busy with super sport trying to consolidate all my brothers best fights for distribution purposes.
February 08, 2011 at 2:34 pm, Lulama Ncita-Somdaka said:
Good day Mr Berman, unfortunately my wish couldnt come to pass due to rights ristrictions, super sport told me that fights belongs to Golden gloves, Eyethu and International boxing Federation so due to this i wont be able to distribute the DVD”s to retail business. At least I’ve tried to do something for my brother while he is still alive.
March 10, 2011 at 6:05 pm, Pierre said:
@ Lulama – is Welcome “The Hawk” Ncita in ill health? He was a great fighter and a great entertainer. I certainly hope all is well with him!