Oosthuizen wins vacant ABU cruiserweight title
This win propelled him into the top 30 in the WBC rankings. It also qualifies for the ratings to challenge for a world title and set his wheels in motion to unify the division.
He is back and has the gold wrapped around his waist to prove it.
After two years on the comeback trail and bouts against unknown, emerging fighters because he was ignored by local and international champions, Thomas Oosthuizen is again a champion.
Tommy Gun is the African Boxing Union (ABU) East and Central Africa cruiserweight champion after brushing aside Ugandan Musa ‘Hitman’ Ntege with a knockout in the first round at the ninth Battle of Warriors at the Carousel Casino in Pretoria on March 12.
The lanky southpaw was on the prowl as the bell rang, sending Ntege, also known as the ‘Dinosaur’, to the canvas with a strong left hook after some early exchanges.
The East African was knocked down again within seconds. After the referee’s mandatory eight-count, he was back on his feet, albeit wobbly, and used the ring to balance himself.
This moment spurred the Boksburg pugilist to go for the killer punch, which he did with another hook to the jaw, knocking Ntege out in one minute and three seconds to win the vacant ABU title.
It was a disappointing performance from the Hitman who, a day earlier, had attempted to rile up Oosthuizen at the weigh-in.
With chiselled abs, toned arms and thighs, Ntege walked to the scale with his signature dinosaur walk. This was the man who walked into this fight on the back of five back-to-back wins, although none of the fighters possessed the speed, elegance and ring IQ of Oosthuizen.
The 34-year-old responded to Ntege’s taunts like a champion, telling the Ugandan to touch the belt because it would be his last time.
Although many may pour cold water on Tommy Gun’s win because of the opponent’s quality and that Ntege weighed eight kilos less, the southpaw showed glimpses of the old Tommy with speed, great footwork and charisma – qualities that led to his dominance in three weight divisions before his troubles with the law.
With the help of 5th Element Promotions’ promoter Jani Hebler, this win gives Oosthuizen another chance to revive his once-great career.
This win propelled him into the top 30 in the WBC rankings. It also qualifies him for the ratings to challenge for a world title and set his wheels in motion to unify the division.
Also Read: Tommy Gun begins quest to unify division
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