Golden Gloves

Former SA welterweight champion Harold “The Hammer” Volbrecht believes that he presently has a trio of golden nuggets in his stable; namely Daniel “Billy the Kid” Bruwer, Flo “The Demolition Man” Simba and Tommy “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen.

“I’ve had numerous world champions operating under my guidance in the past, such as Corrie Sanders, Mzukisi Sikali, Phillip Holiday, Sebastiaan Rothmann and Jan Bergman, but I cannot recall a time when I had three fighters who excited me more in terms of their long range prospects” said Volbrecht.

An undefeated national welterweight champion for 12 years, Volbrecht (47-5-2) made a record 19 title defences and was one of two white boxers (the other being Brian Mitchell) who campaigned vigorously in the black townships.

“ I truly feel that 2010 will be a watershed year in terms of the fighters working in my Southern Suburbs gymnasium” said Volbrecht and whereas young Flo is still a comparative novice, Oosthuizen has already won three international titles and Bruwer is a former unbeaten SA light heavyweight champion”.

Incidentally Volbrecht also holds the reins for former SA super middleweight ace Andre Thysse, who at age 40 has staged an eye-catching comeback.

Insofar as his “three musketeers” (Bruwer, Oosthuizen, Simba) are concerned, Volbrecht was as candid as ever. “Tommy is an emerging star whose ongoing prowess will be duly tested on February 27 at Emperors Palace when he fights Zambia’s John Chibutu for the vacant WBA Intercontinental light heavyweight crown and if he succeeds in winning a fourth championship, the sky is the limit. Tommy has the word ‘world champion’ written all over him” concluded Volbrecht.

Daniel Bruwer only joined Volbrecht late last year and has yet to fight under the Hammer’s auspices but the bond they’ve forged has impressed everyone in the gym and one can expect Bruwer to benefit immeasurably by the unison.

Simba is of course the talk of the town ahead of his 4-round heavyweight bout with Stephen Castle on February 27 at Emperors Palace and if he again lives up to expectations, Promoter Rodney Berman will soon be scanning the international market for likely opponents.