Ji Hoon Kim vs. Ameth Diaz in Laredo, Texas

Current IBO world lightweight champion Ji hoon Kim will be fighting Ameth Diaz on May 21 in Laredo, Texas, with a view to substantiating his claim to a shot at the IBF world lightweight crown later in the year! Kim, who is co-promoted by Golden Gloves Promotions and Banner Promotions in the USA, won the IBO championship strap by knocking out Zolani Petelo in South Africa during 2009, and now means to set his sights on the IBF world title. Currently ranked #8 by the IBF, Kim is a ferocious puncher and both Art Pellulo (Banner) and Rodney Berman (GGP) believe that he’ll have the beating of the hard hitting Diaz, who is presently listed #6 in the IBF world ratings.

Nevertheless, two fighters; Ali Funeka (SA) and Joan Guzman (USA) will first be fighting for the vacant IBF lightweight crown and the Berman-Pellulo plan is to have Kim by then elevated into a lofty spot on the rankings in order to challenge the winner of that fight.

“We intend to have Kim win the IBF title” said Pellulo, during his trip to South Africa on the weekend, “and both Rodney and I feel that he’ll have the beating of Diaz on May 21 in Texas. After that we’ll be pressing Kim’s claim to a crack at the title and it really doesn’t bother us whether he fights Funeka or Guzman, we’re that confident”.

At present the No 1 and No 2 berths in the IBF rankings are vacant, while Funeka and Guzman occupy the next contender spots.

Meanwhile, Berman announced that two South Africans; Flo “The Demolition Man” Simba (3-0, 3 knockouts) and Sipho “Tsunami” Taliwe (10-2, 9 knockouts) will be fighting on the Laredo undercard. “Flo has been a sensational newcomer to the national heavyweight ranks and Taliwe is the reigning SA junior lightweight champion” said Berman.

Naturally everyone expected Berman to feature his blossoming heavyweight tiger in the USA during the next few months, especially after his business associate Art Pellulo enthused over Simba’s potential, yet the inclusion of Taliwe may cause more than a few eyebrows to be raised.

Berman explained; “Taliwe’s trainer Bernie Pailman has never received his just dues and I feel that the time has come to afford him a great deal more recognition. As such we’re giving his boxer Taliwe the opportunity to garner some overdue applause by fighting on an ESPN bill that will be seen in many States in America”.