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Charismatic light heavyweight boxer Jared “The Storm” Lovett will head for the USA in July for a three-month stint in one of the top MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Gymnasiums per courtesy of Golden Gloves Promotions, who will make a foray into the fast-growing sport later this year.
In confirming the announcement, GGP Promoter Rodney Berman said; “Look, professional boxing will remain our forte but in keeping with the expanding demand for MMA both here and abroad, we’ve decided to explore the possibilities of staging MMA tournaments in South Africa later this year, while concentrating on importing experienced overseas fighters to market in this country”.
Berman also said; “Jared Lovett’s boxing career has effectively been placed on hold until July 2011, due to the two-year suspension he recently received, but because the kid has shown so much interest in the MMA profession, we’ve decided to send him to the States for a three-month spell in order for him to find out what the game is all about. While Lovett’s suspension from professional boxing means that he’ll be unable to actually compete in MMA, he will nevertheless be able to train with American MMA athletes and the experience he gleans in the USA could prove invaluable” said Berman. The CEO of Golden Gloves concluded by saying, “Lovett could become one of the most marketable fighters in the MMA business, given his natural aura and I need to stress that he’ll be under our protective wing during his stay in America, where my son Joel will be looking after his interests”.
Whether or not the embattled Lovett will decide on returning to the pugilistic profession once his suspension is served, is uncertain, but he clearly wants to feel out the world of MMA and believes he can make his mark in the sport!
March 17, 2010 at 10:40 am, Classy said:
I reckon he will be better off in the MMA world. It suits his persona better.
March 17, 2010 at 11:27 am, Britt said:
I could agree more with you Classy, he’s too aggressive for boxing, and boxing is a patient sport. When he comes back from MMA to box again he’s going to be a much better fighter please note the word “fighter” he has a tremendous load of talent all he needs to calm down and be patient there will be a time in boxing he will brawl but hey all the best Jared for the United states and may you learn enough to fight big names in the sport, and whatever you do keep S.A name high.
March 17, 2010 at 11:58 am, Simon said:
Interesting… I am a keen follower of MMA. Which gym will he be training at?
March 17, 2010 at 12:31 pm, Tanya said:
I still feel that Jared could have become one of our boxing greats. The sad thing about such an upcoming young talent is that outside the boxing ring in the streets I would imagine you become a target for a lot of young guys who think they can take you on and sometimes these clashes become although unecessary but also unavoidable. Lovett made a name for himself as a boxer but more as a fighter. I trust that MMA will benefit him in future.
March 17, 2010 at 4:22 pm, WORRIED FAN said:
What has happened to Johnny Koen…….
March 18, 2010 at 7:59 am, Taptap said:
I think his mma career wil be as short as his boxing career he must rather give it a miss!
March 18, 2010 at 8:28 am, richard said:
i think jared is a gr8 fighter, but any sports enhancer(steroids) means you a cheat. but if he does mma i want to see him fight local talent chaz wasserrman. both love fighting
March 18, 2010 at 8:49 am, Britt said:
LOL. “Taptap”
March 18, 2010 at 12:50 pm, Simon said:
Be interesting to see which gyms and trainers GGP partners with for this. Will they go with some of the older guys who “started” MMA in S.A like Mark Robinson, Rodney King etc, or will they go for the newer guys for example Fight Fit Militia and co. Keep us posted.
March 18, 2010 at 2:26 pm, Britt said:
Eish I think Chaz Wasserrman and Jared was best friends not long ago but Chaz will drop Jared my opinion.
March 18, 2010 at 4:58 pm, fight fan said:
well well I don’t think the mma is such a good idea he might aswell keep on fighting in the street and clubs and be a wooligan MY 2C sorry but MMA is not a sport.It is just a sreet fight in a cage.
March 19, 2010 at 7:30 am, Classy said:
And a snore fest of note!
March 19, 2010 at 7:42 am, Britt said:
Amen. Preach it fight fan!
March 19, 2010 at 1:46 pm, Simon said:
Classy I usualy agree with most of what you say however MMA is no snore fest. UFC of 15 years ago could drag on a bit (eg. Gracie vs. Shamrock 35 min bout all of which took place on the ground)but with all the new rules, rounds etc, they have made it a spectator sport. Most of what happens in the street is not allowed in MMA (weapons, eyes, strikes to the throat, small joint minipulation etc)so yes it is a sport. I can be a boxing fan as well as an mma fan
March 19, 2010 at 1:47 pm, Simon said:
Waiting for some comments from you Terry?
March 19, 2010 at 4:47 pm, Jonathan said:
Hi all, boxing is one of the greatest sports in history.
But MMA is such a fast growing sport right now, Classy first find out more about the sport before knocking it!
Now about Jared getting in to MMA not a bad idea, he has the fight game in his heart but still I think he has alot to learn, there are many elements of the MMA game he needs to know about Muay Thai, Jitz eg.
He needs to loose the attitude that he is the boy.
Great to have a healthy self a steam but it will not help you in the cage.
I have fought in Thailand and in the UK one lesson in this sport be humble and you will get respect. Good Luck
March 20, 2010 at 10:32 am, Terry Pettifer said:
To each his own Simon. Boxing is and will always be my ULTIMATE sport, but I certainly won’t knock MMA or any other sporting principle. In life you pay your money and take your pick!
March 20, 2010 at 11:27 am, Classy said:
Im not knocking MMA at all and I am well versed in the nuances of the sport. I just find it boring on the floor. Boxing is more non-stop due to its simplicity. Sure MMA is on the grow but the money and PPV buys in the states tells the true story. When that gets anywhere near the kind of sales boxing does on PPV then it can be classed as competition for the biggest martial art of em all – Boxing!
March 20, 2010 at 4:11 pm, GGP Jr said:
MMA delivers exactly what the label says Mixed Martial Arts. As recent tournaments have shown, good matchmaking in MMA (as in boxing) often dictates the quality, and excitement of the fight. However, i tend to agree with Classy, that because boxers can only use their hands, the art of boxing is technically more difficult with fighters not being able to kick, wrestle, grapple or elbow, but a good MMA bout between two seasoned & well-conditioned fighters (see the recent BJ Penn vs Sanchez match)equals the excitement & skill of a Pacquiao vs Cotto bout.
March 20, 2010 at 8:49 pm, Simon said:
Boxing is my first choice between the two although I’m a huge fan of all the combat arts. What about my question about where Jared is training? And also which gyms will GGP be working with?
March 22, 2010 at 1:56 pm, Terry Pettifer said:
Couldn’t agree more with Classy, who is obviously a ‘fight nut’ like myself! As for where Jared will be traing and what gymnasiums he’ll be utilizing, I shall release that information when I receive it. Ok Simon?
March 22, 2010 at 8:58 pm, Simon said:
Cool thanks
March 23, 2010 at 8:56 am, Brent said:
Its a 50/50 split… Jared is going to come up against some hard guys that know there way around a MMA ring, but I think he’s brawler instinct will give him a fair chance!
March 29, 2010 at 5:21 pm, richard said:
chaz wasserman is tall big and strong,one ryt hook and the storm is down baby
April 01, 2010 at 5:36 pm, craig said:
Jared is an awesome fighter with loads of natural ability. MMA is not just a brawl, it’s very tactical. Jared at present stands no chance on the ground against a half decent mma fighter. No disrespect intended, he’s striking is better than most mma fighters. At some point in his first fight he will be taken to the ground and submitted very easily.It’ll Take him a couple to develop decent ground game.I think those years could be put to better use boxing
August 18, 2010 at 10:51 am, Boxing fan said:
Terry why is Jared still on this website? He is not? I don’t think you see him in any sport soon.