‘Tommy Gun’ takes aim at WBA Title

This is according to mega match-maker Rodney Berman.

Oosthuizen (27) will face Juergen Braehmer (47-2, 35KOs), who will be defending his title on March 12, at the Jahnsportforum in Neubrandenburg, Germany, said Berman on the Golden Gloves website.

The bout was originally scheduled to take place last November, in Monaco, before a hand injury suffered by the champion forced the fight’s postponement.

Now, fully fit, Braehmer is relishing a return to Neubrandenburg, where he claimed the WBA World title back in 2013.

“Neubrandenburg holds a very special place in my heart,” said Braehmer.

“It was here that I beat Marcus Oliveria to become world champion for a second time, so, of course, I’m looking forward to returning to the Jahnsportforum and successfully defending my title against Oosthuizen.”

The 37-year-old southpaw will face tough opposition from Oosthuizen, who is unbeaten (25-0-2, 14 KOs) and will be travelling to Germany full of confidence.

“It’s lovely, wonderful news. This time, hopefully, Braehmer won’t give us a bullshit excuse not to fight again – the fight must happen!

“I’m definitely going to cash in on my skill, speed, youth, power and agility. I’m letting my left hand go down and following up with right hooks. I’ll put him away for sure. You’ll hear nothing from the scorecards.”

Trainer Harold Volbrecht was just as confident.

“I’m so positive about this fight. There’s no way in a million years that Braehmer wins… Tommy considers him an old man,” he said.

“Braehmer must know that this isn’t another [former opponent] André Thysse. He’ll be in the ring with a real fighter.

“We’re not going to Germany for a points win; we know how tough it is for outsiders to get a win there. We have nine weeks left, nine weeks of hard training.

”Braehmer had better be ready – Tommy’s coming for him!”

Rodney Berman, Oosthuizen’s promoter, said: “Juergen Braehmer is ranked in the top six in all the ratings that count.

“Oosthuizen wants to be in this position – he sees Braehmer as the stepping-stone towards that goal. I can’t see Braehmer living with a fit and motivated Tommy.

“Saying that, it is the fight of Tommy’s life.”

Standing at 1.93m tall, the challenger will hold both a height and reach advantage over the 1.81cm champion, but rather than seeing this as a disadvantage, Braehmer believes his opponent’s stature bodes well for his sixth successive title defence.

“His height doesn’t bother me, I have always done well against taller opponents,” said Braehmer.

“Enzo Maccarinelli was a similar size and I stopped him inside the distance.

”Regardless of his size, whether by KO or points – I will be sending the South African home empty-handed.” – @SabeloBoksburg