GALLERY: Smith’s Gym did not disappoint at Bombs away
Sterling performances from Smith’s Gymnasium.
MARCHING towards bigger and better fights is at the order of the day for the boxers from Peter and Sean Smith’s Gymnasium when they made heavy weather of their opponents during the Bombs Away boxing tournament over the weekend.
Notwithstanding that the bill consisted mostly of fighters from these two top-notch trainers, one could say that they won four out of five on the five-bout bill compiled by Golden Gloves Promotions (GGP) on a delightful evening at a packed Emperors Palace on June 23.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
Bombs Away made way for the next card on the three-legged series of events put together by GGP. The next event, Reach for the Star, will take place on August 10 and if the first tournament is a display of boxing talent in South Africa, then the pugilist can only look forward to an exciting boxing calendar in the latter part of the year.
Thulani Mbenge, Thabiso Mchunu and Rowan Campbell gave good accounts of themselves, demolishing their overseas opponents in their international bouts while up and coming Ayabonga Sonjica took one round to dispose of Tumelo Mantsane winning by TKO in 50 seconds.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
Mbenge fought Diego Chaves from Argentina for the vacant International Boxing Organisation (IBO) welterweight belt. Though it took Mbenge seven rounds to capture the title, winning by KO against Chaves, he was always in control and one could sense the knockout.
“I am very grateful for the opportunity that Rodney Berman has given me. We have worked hard for this win,” said Mbenge.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
Mchunu fought Richard Bolotniks from Latvia in an International cruiserweight bout over 10 rounds, walking away with a KO in the sixth round. From round one, the bulky Mchunu had his hands full against Bolotniks, but he wore him down before planting the final right-hand punch that sent his opponent to the canvas.
Campbell waited till the final, eight round to pick the best shot of his career blasting away Malkhaz Sujashvile from Georgia to win by KO. To date, Campbell recorded the best win of his short professional career. He has seven bouts to his name winning all by KOs.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
Wade Groth from Box Office in the South under the watchful eye of Raymond Cerfonteyn and Anton Gilmore went the distance against his opponent Andile Mntungwa in a middleweight division six rounder. He won on a points decision by the judges – 58/57, 57/57, 59/55.
Groth will be on board to fight for the South African Middleweight Interim title over 12 rounds against Wynand Mulder on August 10 at Reach for the Star.
To book your seat for Reach for the Star contact Jeff Ellis on 078 457 3030.
Photo: Annette van Schalkwyk.
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