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Kaizer Mabuza gets another title shot on the “Grand Slam” bill
House fighter Tommy Oosthuizen will be the big attraction on the “Grand Slam” bill at Emperors Palace on November 23 when he defends his IBO super-middleweight title against hard-punching Russian Maxim Vlasov.
Announcing the bill this morning, promoter Rodney Berman delivered on his promise to package a high-quality tournament.
If Vlasov (21-1) sounds familiar, it’s because he fought Isaac Chilemba earlier this year. Although he narrowly lost on points, he twice floored Chilemba in the eighth round and has since rebounded with two wins.
“Tommy will have to be at his best,” said trainer Harold Volbrecht. “The Russian is very crafty and comes to fight.”
In what will be arguably the most anticipated fight of the night, light-heavyweight bangers Johnny Muller and Ryno Liebenberg will clash in an eight-rounder.
It’s a mouth-watering battle pitting the big-hitting, if occasionally wild, Muller against relentless Liebenberg, who in his last fight upset reigning SA champion Tshepang Mohale.
“This will be a war,” said Berman. “In fact, every fight could be war.”
Kaizer Mabuza has been rewarded for his gritty recent display against Chris van Heerden with a crack at the IBO junior-welterweight title, his natural division.
He goes up against southpaw Steve Wills of Australia (16-0) who trades with the nickname “The Surgeon”.
Crowdpleaser Jason Bedeman makes his Golden Gloves return on the undercard with a grudge fight against Thomas Mokoena for the IBO All-Africa title.
Apart from being SA champion, Mokoena is trained by Manny Fernandez, from whom Bedeman recently defected to join Colin Nathan.
Adding additional spice is that these two were sparring partners and stablemates in the Fernandes gym. Each is now baying for the other’s blood, which adds a tantalising dimension to the match-up.
The fourth fight on the card is a rematch between Sipho Taliwe and Jasper Seroka for the WBC international junior-lightweight title. The two have split a pair of fights and a third is much anticipated.
Taliwe hasn’t lost in four years while Seroka is fresh off victory against previously undefeated Joey Stiglingh.
October 05, 2011 at 9:30 am, Fan of the Gun said:
Great Bill !!!
Will most definitely be there !!
Thanx GGP !
October 05, 2011 at 10:31 am, Pierre said:
Awesome bill. Golden Gloves, you sure know the art of match-making.
October 05, 2011 at 10:33 am, Britt' said:
Thomas Will stop Maxim!!!! Guaranteed.
October 05, 2011 at 10:55 am, Pierre said:
I think it’s Thompson Mokwana, though!
October 05, 2011 at 11:39 am, John Smith said:
I think its a bad fight for tommy.
October 05, 2011 at 12:38 pm, Britt' said:
John ???? Why?
October 05, 2011 at 12:43 pm, Gary said:
Bloody fantastic bill GGP! Wow, all the crowd pullers! You’re right Mr B we have all been waiting for the one between Muller and Liebenberg, going to be a tough one!
October 05, 2011 at 12:45 pm, Shawn said:
Definately a night to look forward to. Will be travelling to Jburg again. This will be a tough one for all boxers, Tommy, Johnny, Kaizer and all. Now that is matching great boxers for a night full of action.
October 05, 2011 at 12:47 pm, christo said:
Awesome Bill as Pierre says Rodney. Tommy will have quite a fight on his hands but he will win. Absolutely going to be war between Muller and Liebenberg, my money is on Muller.
October 05, 2011 at 12:48 pm, Leon said:
This date is booked in my diary. Will be good to see Ryno in action, got a lot of respect for him the last time. I do however think Muller will ace this one. Tommy Gun is in much better shape than he was against Chilembe and will beat the Russian.
October 05, 2011 at 12:55 pm, Keelan said:
Now this is great news for us fans! Mr B you sure know how to get the fans exited! I will be there.
October 05, 2011 at 12:57 pm, Zain said:
Liebenberg has so much heart but Muller has a point to prove. This should be a good one…
October 05, 2011 at 4:54 pm, fanie said:
An absolute boxing feast for the fans! Tommy, Muller, Jason, Taliwe etc, great great great!!
October 05, 2011 at 8:59 pm, Uppercut said:
Britt has to agree with you Tommy will be to good for the Russian.Maxim has a good record but fought a lot of no body’s.
Gert I thought you say Ryno will not be fighting again this year.Don’t push him to fast,he had a hard last fight.
For the rest of the guys on the bill ,train hard can’t wait to see you in action.
October 06, 2011 at 8:34 am, THE IRON said:
After the recent consistency shown in the dissapointment of our GGP undefeated boxers all suffering their first defeats(Muller, Simba, Bedeman, Budler, Stiglingh, Mchunu). I expected boxing at Emporers to die out a little, until the next group of prospects establish themselves, but GGP have put a great bill together here and well done to all the fighters for their determination and courage. BIG things still to come in SA boxing!
October 06, 2011 at 9:37 am, Fan of the Gun said:
@ THE IRON, even though some of them have had their first defeat, alot of boxing fans would come to see these fighters redeem themselves
Jason, Tommy, and Johnny are all crowd pullers, so I guess this will be a sold out night !!!!!!
October 06, 2011 at 10:28 am, Britt' said:
So many prospects fell just short of early retirement! Doesn’t it tell us something about management, promoting? Why did Rodney put Jason Bedeman up against a lion like Daniel Alberto Dorrego? Did Rodney do his home work on this? Why do GGP make so much noise about Flo Simba? And that cost them Isaac Chilmba? Why do they give him another chance? Why did Johnny & Hekkie fight on a second string promoting show before returning to the Palace of Dreams? And Flo comes back from a stoppage and gets a shot on an African Ring Show? To my opinion this won’t be such a major draw card…… Ryno Liebenberg’s vs. Johnny Muller’ Muller will stop Ryno…. Thomas will prove to all that’ his the cream of the crop of GGP Sipho Taliwe and Jasper Seroka Talking about a snore –fest
October 06, 2011 at 2:30 pm, Pierre said:
Britt, could you elaborate on why Chilemba left GGP? Most of us don’t know the inside information about that. Also, Jasper Seroka proved against Stiglingh that he is an agressive and determines fighter who lets his hands go. How can you say that his fight with Taliwe will be boring? It could turn out to be the most exciting fight on the card!
October 14, 2011 at 12:02 pm, Duncan said:
> Britt I personaly feel that was the right fight for Hekkie in East London because he had to have another fight and after that fight he came back stronger and has learnt alot from his loss to Gideon.Hekkie atleast I can say is a real fighter and will fight any where they give him a fight wheter it is in Cape town or Swaziland he will fight.
October 06, 2011 at 11:03 am, "The Heat" said:
great bill cant wait to just sit ring side and enjoy watching for a bit
October 06, 2011 at 11:06 am, Patsy said:
@ Fan of the gun
Nicely put, these young men are crowd pullers.
Great Boxers and hard working fighters.
October 06, 2011 at 2:05 pm, Flo Simba fan said:
“THE HEAT”
IT’S A GOOD IDEA , I THINK YOU STILL “HEAT” UP FROM YOUR FIGHT-SO SIT BACK AND RELAX-( AG CELLULAR WILL STILL LOOK AFTER YOU)
October 06, 2011 at 5:24 pm, Jono said:
Hey guys
What do you think about About Tomas not putting he’s SA Title on the line and Jason has to defend he IBO All Africa Title?
I think that this fight will show South Africa that Jason is the true Light weight king.
October 06, 2011 at 8:19 pm, Julio Conzalvez said:
The Heat. What do you say about the fact that your opponent and his corner complained about you fighting dirty, using your head and elbow?
October 07, 2011 at 8:00 am, Mmbudzeni Dali said:
When are the tickets going on sale for Grand Slam,I want to be close to the ring so that I can enjoy this one.
October 07, 2011 at 9:04 am, nomercy said:
I heard Liebenberg and Strydom split so with out a trainer I. Can’t see the fight between Johnny and Ryno happening and would it happen at light heavy or super middel, didn’t they say Liebenberg is going down?
October 07, 2011 at 10:43 am, fanie said:
Could be wrong but heard that Rymo joined the Smiths. There is no way Muller can go down super middle, in my opinion he would be better suited at cruiser.
October 07, 2011 at 1:01 pm, Bernard said:
If Elias Tshabalala was the number one guy for stealing fighters, then Peter Smith has taken his place. Why on earth would Ryno leave Gert Strydom who has guided him for all his fights.
October 07, 2011 at 1:10 pm, Jorden said:
Hi Guys
I am new on this site, I have just become a Fan of a Boxer named Jason Bedeman.
I saw him at Virgin Active, great humble young man.
I was told he is a Pro Boxer.
He is fit and strong,I have never seen such power in a young man, what a work rate.
I spoke to he’s Personal Trainer Emilio Skrocha and he told me he is fighting on the 23th of Nov.
I am for sure going to watch Jason fight, boy this kid is a true sportsmen.
I would hate to get hit by him,all I can say is FIT FIT!
October 07, 2011 at 1:16 pm, Patsy said:
I know what you mean Jorden.
He is a great fighter and has power just look at he’s boxing record.
As lots of people who know any thing about Jason the “BADMAN”.
A fit Jason is a hard guy to beat at any level,he is pure power.
October 08, 2011 at 12:20 am, smoothie said:
Great win for Charles oosthuizen tonight… Nice puncher/boxer and slick on the body work..
October 08, 2011 at 8:15 am, Fan said:
I think the boxers are pushed to the limit. Look what happend after Flo’s defeat, to me a big one against the Buffalo and again againts Venter. I feel Liebenberg should have a few easier fights before taking on Muller,and then maybe for the title as I read Tshepang went for a knee op. All the other fights will be exiting and I can’t wait. Good luck Thomas, hope your eye is 100%.
October 08, 2011 at 2:11 pm, fanie said:
Very disappointed! Just saw on FB Muller won’t be fighting tomorrow at Wits as Mbaya is way over weight limit!
October 08, 2011 at 3:36 pm, tanya said:
Fanie are you serious??
October 09, 2011 at 11:01 pm, isaac said:
Fanie is right, Mbaya wa nearly 7 kgs overweight and Harold decided not to let Johnny box. Wise decision, as come fight time the difference could’ve been 10 kgs. I can imagine how p’d off Johnny must be at MbayaM
October 09, 2011 at 11:06 pm, brian said:
Also saw on facebook the same so we didn’t attend but saw on tv and they could have surely used Muller for some action.
October 09, 2011 at 11:12 pm, tanya said:
You were right indeed Fanie. We didn’t go because Johnny wasn’t on the bill anymore but saw on tv, disappointing boxing, especially the title fight. They will be seriously hurt against the likes of Tommy. Sorry Johnny, looking forward to see you on Nov 23rd.
October 10, 2011 at 1:02 pm, Britt' said:
Question for Mr.Rodney you have Thomas Oosthuizen scheduled to fight Maxim Vlasov but I’ve noticed that Boxrec has him also scheduled to fight “Big Punch” Ismayl Sillakh on the 4Th of Nov…this is a bit of a risk for Maxim…could this mean Thomas fighting somebody ells on this Bill?
October 10, 2011 at 5:44 pm, Rodney Berman said:
Hi Britt. I have checked with Vlasov’s management – they have assured me he is fighting Tommy Oosthuizen on our bill.
October 10, 2011 at 6:37 pm, Uppercut said:
Tanya,it was not worth it to go and watch the fights on sunday without Johnny on the bill.
Tanya you say the two boxers that fought for the title will get seriously hurt by Tommy,you right they are not in his class,but look at Tommy brother Charles he will fight the champ any time he will be the next Super middleweight champ.
Watch this space.
Britt what do you think about Charles for super-middleweight title fight.
October 11, 2011 at 10:23 am, Britt' said:
> Well’ Uppercut’ I know the Iron-fist very well the guy is one of the most underrated fighters in the game’ I’ll go as far to say that Ryno don’t even try stepping into the ring with Charles really you think Tshepang hit you hard, wait until a Oosthuizen bangs you’ I rate Charles at Oosthuizen very strong fighter great talent’ packs a punch’… would like to see Oosthuizen Fight Michael van Heerden ‘ and stopping Ryno’s lucky Sunday punching career!
October 11, 2011 at 11:19 am, Flo Simba fan said:
NOMERCY,
I HEARD THE LIEBENBERG IS JOINING COLLIN NATHAN ,AND HIS NOT BOXING JOHNNY MULLER,
October 11, 2011 at 12:37 pm, Tanya said:
Absolutely Uppercut, it was such a disappointing fight. I have watched a few of Charles’s fights and I agree, the way that title fight was fought, watch out for Charles!
October 11, 2011 at 12:38 pm, Zain said:
True words Uppercut, when we saw Muller wasn’t on the bill anymore we didn’t bother going.
October 11, 2011 at 12:47 pm, Temba said:
Who will Johnny be boxing on 23 Nov? I sure hope he is still on the bill!
October 11, 2011 at 1:02 pm, nomercy said:
Britt you have to be kidding me! Look Charles is a banger but to say he will beat Liebenberg is just plain dumb, who has he fought, let him fight a legit opponent first and than make remarks! Liebenberg has proved his worth,and he beat the 2 division national champ! It doesn’t matter how he looked doing it, he did it, let charles first prove himself…
And if charles wins the national title, I can assure you Liebenberg will fight him…
October 11, 2011 at 1:11 pm, nomercy said:
Uppercut, your involved with Charles camp, will you let him fight Ryno Liebenberg, I think they got the same rekord 5 and 0… So…
October 11, 2011 at 3:33 pm, Britt' said:
NoMercy or would i say “Gert” Charles would finish Ryno!!!!and a luck Sunday Punch don’t make you a creditable fighter!
October 11, 2011 at 6:14 pm, Uppercut said:
nomercy,as you say let Charles win the national title then you will have a great fight on your hands,not like sunday. Britt’,I think Michael van Heerden is scared of Charles,but let Charles win the title then he will fight Ryno or Michael whoever comes first.
October 11, 2011 at 6:51 pm, Uppercut said:
nomercy,You must not think Charles will take the fight against Ryno lightly,because Ryno should be called the champion.I just think you don’t fight Ryno just to have a fight,I think it will be a great fight between these two boxers
October 11, 2011 at 7:00 pm, KO said:
RYNO TAKE A LOT OF PUNCHES, BUT HE CAN HANDLE IT. I DON’T THINK HE IS A SUNDAY PUNCHER, HE IS A GOOD BOXER THAT NEEDS GUIDANCE. HE WILL DO GOOD WITH COLIN AND WILL WIN A SA TITLE BEFORE NEXT YEAR IS OUT. GOOD LUCK RYNO, YOU ARE A CHAMPION.
October 12, 2011 at 8:27 am, Britt' said:
> The boy packs a punch’ but does he pack a international Knock out punch? In my eyes’s a Sunday puncher indeed!
October 11, 2011 at 7:40 pm, nomercy said:
Uppercut spoken like a true manager, boxing is a hard game that takes alot out the boxers. There is no point to fighting just to fight, so let’s see who fights for the title first and who brings the goods when the fight is on….
October 12, 2011 at 8:26 am, Britt' said:
Spoke to Jason Kineer yesterday’ Having a go at it about South African Boxing’ and at this stage of the ball game I rate Promoters are slowly bit surely killing boxing in RSA. Let’s have a look at the Philippians they fight almost every send month’ my word’ the Mexicans top that by fighting every month’ and the promoters still have the cheek to ask the question why does Buthelezi’ such a raw talent, and loses via T.K.O it’s because our champions don’t get enough fight game’ Lets host more show’s with more shows there will be more fights with more fights better chance of better hardcore champions not your POWER PUFF FLO’S.
October 12, 2011 at 8:41 am, nomercy said:
Brit you know what a lucky punch doesn’t make you a creditale fighter but beating one does and having a winning streek of 5wins with 5 ko’s sort of does! And please I’m NOT Gert Strydom! What I’m saying is Ryno had the hard fight and came out on top, who has Charles fought that has a winning record, no-one, I’m not taking anything away from Charles,he is a great kid and big banger, I’ve called this fight more than a year ago but don’t say things with out any justification.
October 12, 2011 at 10:35 am, Britt' said:
> All the respect in the world’ I’m just saying make the fight happen’ huge draw card !!!!
October 12, 2011 at 9:46 am, John Smith said:
Charles Oosthuizen has a lot to learn. He fights the same as his brother. They’ve got a very ugly boxing style with their hands hanging by this side. Charles has no upper body movement. He stands there like a statue and couldnt even finish a former light weight cause thats all Mokoena is. He’s washed up. But thats another problem with boxing in south africa. The boxing commission is happy to sanction any fight if its for a title. That means the quality is not always top level. These boys get a false sense of confidence when they win a title but as soon as they fight someone world class, they lose badly.
October 12, 2011 at 12:43 pm, Tanya said:
I really like Ryno and I agree he can take a punch, but how many punches like his last fight can one take? How long will his career last when we keep on saying he can take a punch?
October 12, 2011 at 12:46 pm, pete said:
I know you have a huge press release next week Mr Berman, but any idea on Muller’s opponent on Nov 23?
October 12, 2011 at 3:20 pm, nomercy said:
Look “chin” as people call it is sometging you can’t teach a boxer and its a great attribute to have, but a good defense is beter, the thing is defense is something a boxer must and can be taught, somethging Ryno has nothing of but cab get. He has only had 5 fights, give him time, it will come…
October 12, 2011 at 7:13 pm, Uppercut said:
nomercy,who ever fight for the title they will win the current champion,but after that there will be a good hard fight for the first defense.The way a SA title fight must look like,not what we seen on sunday.Good luck to Charles and Ryno. John Smith how does Charles and Tommy got the same style,one is a come forward fighter and the other a counter puncher.John Smith Simon Mokoena was a lightweight 14 years ago.I don’t think your weight is the same 14 years later.If it is you must be in great shape,if not rather keep quiet.
October 14, 2011 at 8:30 am, nomercy said:
Seems this bill has gone to pieces! Ryno changed camp so Ryno – Johnny fight is off, Tommy’s opponent is running scared so that fight is off! Jason can’t and will never make light weight again so his fight is off and he is going to struggle at welterweight, ( just my opinion ) so with what does that leave us Kaizer who always puts on a show! So MR. B what have you got lined up for us?
October 15, 2011 at 5:14 pm, Patsy said:
@ Nomercy
Your Opinion Sucks!
Jason is a Welterweight naturly and Yes he hits like one too.
You always have a bad thing to say about Jason Bedeman.
I just know he is going to proves you wrong!
Jason has a better KO and Fight record, then most Boxers he’s age in South Africa, that is 22 year old!
The Badman is one of the most exciting Boxers South Africa has,when watching he’s fights you know he’s going to give he’s best.
Just remember he has only lost to a boxer from over sea’s.
Jason is going to Rock the Palces on the 23rd Nov.
October 16, 2011 at 2:31 pm, Uppercut said:
Patsy,sorry to say,Jason did not loose he quite,that is a different thing at all.If he quite against a Lightweight,what is he going to do against a good welterweight.I think we all know the answer to that one,and it is not in Jason favour .