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Faisal Ibnel Arrami of Tunisia, the French cruiserweight champion, is in the Super Eight mix
Rodney Berman’s much-anticipated Super Eight cruiserweight tournament is fast taking shape with seven of the eight competing fighters already in the pot.
The South African-based contingent includes Flo Simba, Zack Mwekassa and Daniel Bruwer, while there is a heady mix of African fighters among the remainder. They include Daniel Adotey of Ghana, Faisal Ibnel Arrami of Tunisia, Zinedine Benmakhouf of Algeria and Udida Muayila of Zambia, who have all agreed in principle to their participation.
Golden Gloves is working hand in hand with the African Boxing Union, an offshoot of the World Boxing Council, with all the boxers ranked in the ABU’s top 10.
“There’s already a buzz across the continent,” said Berman. “We are still scouring around for a final boxer to add to the mix, but I believe we already have close to the very best of Africa’s cruiserweights in the bag.”
Moves to involve Thabiso Mchunu were stymied by his management.
Berman is seeking approval from the WBC for the winner to be guaranteed, at the very least, a shot at their international title.
The three-tournament series starts in May (on the undercard of IBO champion Chris van Heerden’s next title defence) and is a straight shootout with the four winners advancing to the semifinals. The two winners will then contest the final at Emperors Palace in November, making it a short, sharp and exciting six-month elimination series.
“There’s a very real possibility we could see Zack against Flo, for instance, and that would be a helluva fight,” said Berman. “But of course the visitors will have every intention of rocking the boat.”
Indeed, they have every incentive to do so. Each competitor will be paid R25 000 appearance money with a minimum initial purse of R75 000. The semifinal participants will be guaranteed a minimum of R125 000 each and the finalist R200 000 and the losing finalist R125 000.
Given such spice, it’s exactly the sort of tournament to get SA boxing fans excited. There is a healthy international mix, while the format itself is guaranteed to sustain interest long beyond the first round in May.
Berman is thrilled to get the tournament going and says he will also consider other weight categories in future.
January 10, 2012 at 4:15 pm, pierre said:
It’s a pity that Thabiso doesn’t want in. Is he perhaps looking to restore his confidence with a few easier fights after Zack stalked him down and knocked him out? And there is no mention of Ilunga Makabu. I know Junior is with a rival promoter, but many of us were already anticipating a final between him and Zack.
January 10, 2012 at 4:31 pm, dilo said:
Great news. I think it would be great to see Zack vs Flo in the final, but that is not how boxing or any sport works…It is almost certain that we will see 1, if not more “upsets”… so, to the boxers who think this will be easy money, remember, their are guys out there more hungry than you are, especially when there is good money involved. Lets hope these guys fans also come out to support them on fight night and we do not just get the same.. cheers
January 10, 2012 at 4:47 pm, pierre said:
According to boxrec, Daniel Adotey is a super middleweight (although his last couple of fights appear to have been at light heavyweight).
January 11, 2012 at 8:12 am, Payback said:
Rodney, this has to be one of the best ideas ever conjured up by golden gloves.
I certainly believe the cruiserweight division is on of the most overlooked weight classes in boxing, it is where the exciting ‘heavyweights’ reside. Looking forward to seeing this tournament take shape and roll onto our screens this year.
Pity Thabiso will not be taking part in the mix, problems with his management, I imagine this will also exclude Elvis Moyo from the mix as well.
Well done on another fine idea!
January 11, 2012 at 8:23 am, nomercy said:
This sounds like a great tournament, but I really hope GGP can convince Nick to let Jnr Makabu fight in this tournament as he has the skill and power to win it and he is allready a world champion!
But that is a very tough task seeing Nick and Rodney’s history…hopefully money talks…
January 11, 2012 at 11:29 am, Ruben Groenewald said:
Its a real shame that I am not allowed to box in south africa anymore. I really believe i would do well. Let me tell you how it goes. And im not bigging myself up but experience is something money cant buy and with eperience comes knowledge. Zack Makwesa is nothig but a powerhouse, a big bully. Thats all he is. There’s only one way to fight a bully. I saw him getting knocked out by a blown up middle weight few years ago. In his last fight against that light heavy with 3 fights, I saw the way to beat him. Its so easy its actually funny. Thabiso Mchunu is one dimensional and now that he’s not training with his father anymore, he lacks stamina. You could see that against zack. I wouldve beaten him but when you’ve got a heavy migrane the week of the fight and you drink the strongest pain killers then of course it will affect your performance. But he beat me fair and square. For that fight I employed alex mbaya and junior makeba as my sparring partners. Junior still owes me money but I took them both to school everyday and you can confirm that with makeba’s previous trainer in alberton. Daniel Bruwer is the easiest opponent ive ever fought. He really doesnt know the basics of boxing. I broke my ribs in my very first sparring session so i only sparred 5 rounds for that and God help that referee for his bad referreing. Same ref who nearly cased flo simba to be badle injured with permanent damage. Bruwer dropped me, i got up, i was concious, bit tired maybe due to the fact that i didnt spar and that id been throwing punches the whole fight. So there you go. Im perfectly healthy. I dont drink or smoke. Ive got all the tools but they are denying me the right to earn a living. Good luck.
January 11, 2012 at 2:10 pm, dilo said:
> I am sure everybody has by now read all about your problems with BSA etc, but it is a shame that you choose to now badmouth other boxers. The fact is, there are boxing lovers who post on here and we try make our point without calling other boxers names . Maybe you should follow the proper chanels to sort out your issues. To be quiet honest, you have been beaten as u said, but now you feel you could be up guys. Yes, I am sure its easy on paper. A guy kos you, but you still have no respect for him. It seems like you startin to now blame every1 for your loses and problems. The refs, bsa, doctors, boxers owin u money, but guess what, it means nothing to the fans. Go box in Denmark or Canada etc and beat som1, then com on here and tell us how good u are. You sound lik David Haye givin every excuse why he got wipped by Klitchko. Please, grow up. Cheers
January 11, 2012 at 3:38 pm, pierre said:
Have you considered taking legal action against BSA?
January 11, 2012 at 11:54 am, kustomiz7 said:
Flo simba will lose in the first round!
January 11, 2012 at 12:58 pm, dennis said:
Mr B hopefully you will keep that last spot for Muller. I do believe he is a better Cruiser than Light Heavy.
January 11, 2012 at 1:01 pm, pete said:
As Nomercy said in the last article, Muller should do very well in such a tournament. He is a more natural cruiserweight than light heavyweight. This should be interesting to see how he will far against his sparring partners.
January 13, 2012 at 9:49 am, pierre said:
How do you figure? He got KO’ed by a super middleweight, remember?
January 11, 2012 at 1:18 pm, nomercy said:
Rubin you don’t drink and smoke but you also don’t train, I haven’t see you fit for a fight since you were a middelweight… You won’t make it!
January 12, 2012 at 2:02 pm, 'chin' said:
What about deon coetzee,the point about this super 8 is about Opportunity?????? So give him a go,i for one thinks he will k o flo simba!!!!
January 13, 2012 at 11:36 am, nomercy said:
Johnny got KOd by a super middel, but one that’s just as big if not bigger than most of these guys and has a punch like a donkey kick, I thik he will do well, actually I think Tshepang would do beter but he can’t box with a blown out knee!
Jnr fights for Nick so it won’t happen…
Johnny has a real chance at this
January 13, 2012 at 12:41 pm, Ruben Groenewald said:
Maybe I am insulting these boxers. So what? Im also stating facts. But let me remind you that this is professional boxing. Its the hurt business. My opponent’s aim is to hurt me anyway he can to secure victory. Lets be honest, boxing’s not a tickling sport is it. Every boxer has his own gameplan. Boxers like Naseem Hamd was very arrogant, same with Chris Eubank. The crowd paid top dollar to see them get beat. They sold themselves and made millions. I have spent time with Eubank in his hometown of Brighton, England as His ex trainer Ronnie Davis trained me for a few fights. Chris is the most down to earth guy. True gentleman but he is a businessman who made a lot of mony out of boxing. Other boxers choose to be quiet and respectful. You must do whatever works for you as a fighter. One day when Im in my 80′s then I might respect my opponent or I might not but untill then, please give me 1 reason why I should respect my opponent? He’s my enemy and I hate them and want to destroy them because hes trying to take food off my table. They probably feel the same about me. And a lot of people talk bad stuff about me like im not fit or im too old or im this or that. But thats fine, im still gonna have a peaceful sleep every night God willing. But to those who say im not fit, I invite you to complete one of my 8 week training programmes. I did not use any training programme for the bruwer fight. I didnt use my original coach but we live and learn. If you dont want to take part in that programme then come and run with me. I would like to meet someone who weighs 96kg that will outrun me. In 2005 I ran a 10 km race. Came first with a time of 37mins. And I have fought in denmark and germany but im home with my family and want to fight here. I have seen the world. I have fought and sparred with the best in boxing. I have worked with well known promoters. Ive won the world title in front of 22 000 people in Manchester. As a ‘foreigner I received a special award from the BBBC yet ive never received anything from BSA. Thats life. I have lived my dreams and nobody can take that away from me. Pierre, thanks for your comment. I have considered legal action but to see a lawyer today will cost me about R2000 for a consultation. If I’m allowed to then I will defend myself in court. I have sudied law in England. Ive worked with Andrew Hunter QC. Google him.; Youre a gent Pierre.
January 16, 2012 at 10:54 am, dilo said:
> Basically what you are saying is although you were koed by both bruwer and Mchunu, you still feel lik you are better than them? So you don’t respect them or acknowledge that they are better than you. You bad mouth Mkwassa and state that it is so easy to beat him, although he koed a guy that koed you.yes, Eubank and Nasseem we’re arrogant and this was there role when marketin there fights, but just 3 points here. 1. They spoke and marketed there next fight and did not just do it for fun. 2. They didn’t badmouth opponents years after the fight or com out and giv excuses when beaten. 3. Both were bonafide world champions. I cannot recall you holding a bonafide world title or fighting at a level they did. You lost I think 10 times against all sorts of opponents. You we’re koed a few times too. Yes, you may need to box and earn a living, but your problems with bsa is 1 thing, but to com on here and badmouth boxers who you not in line to fight and to giv excuses for why u lost is quiet another and comes across as sour grapes. Its good that your a good runner and can train well, but it maybe time for you to decide on a different career for the next 30years as you may be a veteran boxer, but you still young as a normal person. You could waste 2 years takin on bsa or go out into the world and do somtin else. If you didn’t hate these other boxers lik u said, you could try your hand as a trainer,mentor etc for the up and comin younsters of today. There are many boxing gyms throughout the country who would welcom you givin off your time to help, but feeling sorry for yourself will not help you. Who knows, you could be another Nick Du Randt of the future. You seem to hav the same arrogance which he uses to his advantage and has taken his boxers to new heights. Love him or hate him as many ppl do. Cheers
January 14, 2012 at 10:51 am, lee said:
Valid points Nomercy, Muller would give these guys a run for their money and stands a good chance.
January 16, 2012 at 11:16 am, dilo said:
I cannot see Muller beating a guy lik Simba and definatly cannot see him beating Zack. In fact, he could get seriously injured. Many boxers would love to be included as there is good money involved, but som of the inexperienced boxers lik Muller should build more experience with lessor opponents for a year or 2 and should not risk there health and future career for quick buck or to try and prove somtin. Why would a junior boxer who does not hav the best defense want to get into the ring with an animal lik Zack or a hungry monster lik Flo who himself was rushed to quickly into fights with experienced campaigners. Does not make sense and would be very risky and irrisponsible by ter handlers. Cheers
January 16, 2012 at 12:33 pm, Cash said:
@ Ruben man ur attitude kinda stinks! Boxing is not a war where as u refer to opponents as an “enemy” boxing is a sport, its a rough and dangerous sport but its not barbaric like you seem to describe it. How can u hate your opponent when u don’t even know them as a person. I think ur comments are selfish and its a matter of a box of sour grapes. U mad at BSA so don’t take it out on other boxers and label and degrade them, that is unsportsman like and just proves to show that u lack sportsmanship as an athlete. My the BSA Dr examined and discovered u lack that sportsmanship quality??? Who knows. Arrogance is a major obstacle in the journey of life…
January 17, 2012 at 12:42 pm, Keelan said:
So is Muller in or out? This is getting very interesting. While I understand your concern Dilo, I don’t think you should throw away Muller just yet. I do think he was more explosive when he was heavier and I believe if Muller trains correctly he is going to be no walk in the park for either Zack or Flo.
January 17, 2012 at 12:51 pm, Jason said:
Ruben, I admire you trying to get in on this tournament and boosting your cause, but please refrain from bashing other boxers who, I might add, have scored wins against you. This Bill is such a great idea Mr B. All great names and good matches. If young Muller is included in this bill its going to be a true test for him. I’m sure he’s got the potential to make his mark but he will have to work on his defence.
January 17, 2012 at 3:39 pm, Ruben Groenewald said:
thanks for your comments everyone. I’m glad you guys love boxing. Its a great sport. I’ll admit, i might not be as fit as i was 10 years ago. I’m now a fat bastard lol. Started my career as a light middle, i’m now cruiser but fact is, i’ve got a lot of knowledge, experience, speed, skill and a one punch knockout power. And for the record, nobody ha ever knocked me out. I’ve been dropped before and stopped before and i was on on feet everytime the ref stopped it but never ever been knocked out. And boxing used to be a sport, its now a business And i refuse to have any respect for any opponent. Any other boxer who’s not in my weight,i’ll give them all the respect they deserve. Boxing really is a hard business. You have to be cruel. I’ve got nothing bad to say about any boxer except for my opponents. Its a psychological thing but thats another story. Psychology plays a massive part in professional sport. Good luck to you guys the fans. Keep on supporting Golden Gloves. Best promoters.
January 25, 2012 at 7:04 am, silver said:
Flo can beat zack if flo boxers smart flo wil just have to stick to boxing basics and won’t even have to do much and he’ll beat zack ,flo is taller and also has power all flo wil hav to do is kep his distance jab zack away everytym zack tries to get in give him a power punch flo wil jus have to jab and move and he’ll win it if he does dat