Oosthuizen to bounce back

Oosthuizen, (22-0-2, 13 KOs) was due to move up to the light heavyweight division to face Colombian, Eleider Alvarez (13-0, 8 KOs) in the

battle of the undefeated in Montreal, Canada, in January, but undisclosed injuries suffered in a bicycle accident during the build-up stages of the match, prompted Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman to drop the southpaw boxer.

The incident, which coincided with reports of Oosthuizen struggling to meet the weight limit for the fight, saw Berman announce that he

had “washed his hands” of the Lakefield resident who had “no hope of being fit to face Alvarez at an HBO bill in less than a fortnight”.

Since being dropped by his promoter, and amid speculations that Oosthuizen’s career was over, he subsequently disappeared from the radar.

Amid the opening of his trainer Harold Volbrecht’s new Nashua-sponsored Hammer Gym, the City Times finally caught-up with the 26-year-old about his latest developments.

“Sure, I knew I would have to face the media sooner or later so I’m ready, let’s do it,” he says.

Asked about what he had been busy with between now and the parting with Golden Gloves, Oosthuizen revealed his battles with alcoholism.

“I had to admit to myself that I’m an alcoholic, and I went to the Houghton House Rehab Centre in Johannesburg between early March and April, where I spent my birthday (April 2).

“Since then, I’ve reunited with Rodney (Berman) and Golden Gloves since my comeback from rehab, and I’ve been back in training for a week now, to get myself back in shape.

“I’m feeling an all-time high thanks to the best team, Nashua East Rand.”

Berman, who was seen talking to Oosthuizen during the opening of the Hammer gym, recently, confirms the reunion on the Golden Gloves

website.

“I’m taking Tommy Oosthuizen back,” said the Golden Gloves chief, a total contrast to the words he used when axing the super middleweight champion on account of his partying lifestyle.

“He’s done,” Berman said at the time.

“He’s had so many chances and blown every one.

“Golden Gloves is the promoter of champions, of men of credibility, good standing and dignity. Tommy has let us all down.

“Fighters are meant to be role models, but he’s fallen very short.”

The rejuvenated Oosthuizen vowed to repay the support given from his East Rand fans.

“I’m ready to take on the world. I’m ready to show the boxing world who I am, and I’m still pursuing my dream of becoming the best boxer the country has ever had.

“To all the people I have disappointed, I’m sorry, and to all the people who’ve supported me throughout, thank you, and much love from my side.

“I’ll make it up to not only my fans from the East Rand, but fans around the world.”

Asked about how the alcohol-binging affected him, Oosthuizen admitted it had dire consequences on his boxing.

“Alcohol and boxing doesn’t mix.

“It was affecting my career in a negative way, especially performance wise.

“It affected the support from people and I realised that I’ve let them down.

“I’ve disappointed my team and disappointed myself.

“I realised that I’m sick, and tired of being sick and tired, so I went to ask for help from Harold (Volbrecht) who said asking for help won’t help if I don’t commit to change.

“I have turned my life around and I have made mistakes, but I’m only human.

“I hope people can learn from my mistakes.

“Sometimes you have to make mistakes to learn.”

Oosthuizen says being a champion didn’t really play a factor in his flirt with alcoholism.

“The excessive drinking started slowly; it’s not something that suddenly happened.

“I was in a relationship, which I thought I wasn’t ready for at the time.

“So I started going out as a way of regaining control of my freedom.

“So I’d turn to alcohol as a way of trying to deal with myself.

“There was never pressure from being a champion, because I enjoy boxing.”

In closing, Oosthuizen extends his gratitude to his team, Nashua, whom he says helped him in his recovery process.

“Harold Volbrecht, Richard Wainwright and Johannes Maisa have been a considerable help.”

A date for his return to the ring is yet to be confirmed.