Paying tribute to yesterday’s great boxing champions
East Rand Veterans Boxing Association (ERVBA) paid tribute to the great boxing champions and challengers of yesteryear with a Champions Night in October.
ALBERTON – The guest of honour was world champion contender Chris van Heerden, who fought at Madison Square Garden in New York and was visiting South Africa. He captured the imagination of the crowd with the gripping stories of his experiences in the USA and told of his coach, the great Freddy Roach, who also coaches Manny Pacquio who challenged Floyd Mayweather earlier this year.
The long list of world, international and SA professional champions and challengers present, included Phil Labuschagne (1950), Johnny Carbis senior (1952), Des Blaau (1954), Charl Sam (1958), Pat Markotter (1959-1962), Kit Markotter (1962), Piet Coetzee (1965), Granville Gorton (1973), Willie Oliver (1975), Hennie Jordaan (1975), Jimmy Abbott (1979), Harold Volbrecht (1979-1990), Gregory Clark (1984), Anton Gilmore (1990), Giovanni Pretorius (1996) and Chris van Heerden (current champion). Bob Williams from M-Net Boxing and formerly LM Radio, also graced the event with his presence.
