Jason Bedeman

The 20-year-old Jason “Badman” Bedeman is one of the most explosive fighters in South Africa at present, and undoubtedly one of the biggest box-office magnets in Gauteng. Undefeated in 12 bouts as a professional, Bedeman hails from Rosettenville, in the Southern Suburbs and is rapidly establishing himself as a cult figure in one of this country’s most vibrant boxing communities.

Trained by Manny Fernandes, the blonde-haired Bedeman is a typical “warrior” who loves to biff and bang the opposition into submission, a proclivity that has thus far reaped dividends to the tune of 8 knockouts. To date the Badman has won 10 contests and fought 2 draws, though he avenged one of those highly questionable draws in dramatic fashion.

A professional since May 2008, Bedeman won his first seven contests on the trot, five by stoppages, before boxing a six-round draw with Sifiso Mthetwa on February 27, 2009. Interestingly he had halted Mthethwa inside three rounds in their previous fight. In July 2009, Bedeman was adjudged to have fought on level terms with the tough Joseph Modise over six rounds, though many (this writer included) felt that the Badman had a clear two-point advantage at the end.

Nonetheless the Southern Suburbs fighter has rapidly improved with every outing and on September 12, 2009 he had too much firepower for the then unbeaten Grant “The Fireball’ Fourie en route to Bedeman winning the vacant IBO Africa title by a 10th round TKO.

The Badman closed off 2009 in electrifying fashion by stopping former foe Joseph Modise in 2:30 of the first round.

On February 27, 2010, Bedeman will step into the ring at Emperors Palace to challenge Ghana’s Bilal Mohammed for the vacant WBA Pan African lightweight championship.