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While Rodney Berman has achieved much during his 33-years as an internationally respected promoter, the one “dream” that has continued to elude him, is to produce an African-born Black world heavyweight champion! Indeed, while Berman’s alchemy piloted Corrie Sanders to world heavyweight championship honours, his best Black heavyweights in the past all failed to live up to their earlier promise, among them Courage Tshabalala, Siza Makhatini and Osborne Machimana.
That may change, however, now that Berman has the 20-year-old Flo “The Demolition Man” Simba (4-0, with 4 knockouts) under his promotional wing.
“Simba is an exceptionally rare talent” said Berman, “and despite scaling around 90 kg at present, he’s sure to develop into a bona fide heavyweight at around 97 kg”.
Berman has certainly seen a long succession of local heavyweights over the past three decades and feels that Simba’s lavish mixture of speed, power and skill, stands him in excellent stead for the mission ahead. “If he (Simba) continues to develop at the pace he’s done so far there’s no reason why he shouldn’t reach our projected goal, which is the world heavyweight title” added Berman, freely acknowledging that his blossoming young tiger is at least two years away from cracking a world heavyweight rating. “Heavyweights should never be rushed, but I’m confident that Simba’s trainer Harold Volbrecht will hone this kid into a really formidable fighter and you only have to attend one of his bouts at Emperors Palace to appreciate the massive following Simba has already realized” concluded Berman.
Amazing as it seems, Simba only turned professional in 2009 after no more than six amateur bouts and yet his rise to national prominence has been both electrifying and meteoric.
“Simba has that indefinable quality that most fighters dream of possessing but which few ever have. He’s a promoter’s dream” said manager Brian Mitchell, who has been punting the Demolition Man since he first saw him hitting a punch bag in amateur trainer Aubrey Lovett’s Regents Park gymnasium. “And to think he was only boxing as a means of staying in shape” mused South Africa’s two-time Hall of Famer.
In his last two outings at Emperors Palace, Simba impressed by stopping the wily Stephen Castle and much heavier Wiseman Dlomo and in the process served notice that he can take a solid punch. “Dlomo whacked him solidly enough but Simba took no notice and came back to flatten the guy” said man-about-boxing Jeff Ellis, who shares Mitchell’s enthusiasm over the Gauteng university student’s potential.
*While it’s yet unclear, Simba may well occupy a spot on the Emperors Palace “BLOCKBUSTER” event on June 19!
May 05, 2010 at 11:34 am, Britt :-) said:
I believe it motivates Flo so much if he reads this article. The day Simba came to Uncle Harolds gym I was lucky enough to have been there to witness this prospect how he was and comparing him to now, the way how Mr. Harold molds he’s fighters into such immaculate moving, smooth jabbing boxing sensations. I can give all the credit to Mr. Harold Volbrecht for the great trainer he’s become, and I believe under he’s watchful eye’s people like Flo Simba will complete the dream of Mr. Rodney.
May 05, 2010 at 12:38 pm, Tanya said:
Because I’m such a huge Johnny Muller fan I was a bit sceptical about the “hype” created around Flo. After watching the last three of Flo’s fights I’m a firm believer that Flo has what it takes to make it big in the world of boxing. Johnny is still my number one but I am cheering for Simba in all his fights. It’s really hard to believe this guy has only had 6 amateur fights and he is so good. You are right Terry, he has tremendous talent.
May 05, 2010 at 12:39 pm, Martin said:
Although Flo took a bit of a beating against Dlomo, he came back and punched the guy out! Now that was great. Flo, you are one hell of a boxer!
June 02, 2010 at 5:48 pm, Robyn said:
Fans of Flo- check out his facebook page, Go With The Flo for info pictures and to leave comments etc.