Tommy Gun is making a comeback

Boxer Tommy Oosthuizen (33), or Tommy Gun, is back in the gym, having teamed up with VIP Boxing Club’s Harry Ramogoadi, following his release from prison.

He spent 10 months in prison after being found guilty of assault with the intent to cause grievous bodily harm and sentenced to three years.
This Van Dyk Park resident had his first eight-rounder planned for July in Secunda since his release, but this has been postponed to September due to the pandemic.

“We are open to any opportunities,” Oosthuizen explained.
“All I can do is stay calm and take situations as they come. One can’t prepare for things like Covid. At the end of the day, I just make sure I am prepared for anything because a promoter could all of a sudden say in two weeks we will have a match, so I am just making sure I am always ready.”

VIP Boxing Club is located in Benoni town, and although Oosthuizen is still on house arrest, he is allowed to attend his training at the gym and matches, as this is his occupation.

“The fight that was supposed to take place in July was an eight-rounder promotional card, which my coaches and I wanted me to take part in before going international so I could get back into the swing of things,” he explained.
“But now we are open to all options, even international. I will take what I can get.
“Although I am filled with nerves, this is my occupation and I love my sport and really just can’t wait to get back into the ring.”

Oosthuizen’s training takes place daily.

“I do all my boxing with Harry, Thabo and Joe at VIP Boxing,” he explained.
“I head to gym at 10:00, go for an 8km/12km run with sprints in between.
“Every athlete has certain ways of training because one has to train according to what they need most for the sport they are playing.

“My training consists of managing my distance, breath and explosiveness by doing things such as long-distance running, strength and conditioning before then sparing, hand pads and a lot of technical work as well.

“Boxing is a game of chess, an art. You have to keep calm and make the right decision, one wrong move and checkmate. I am just taking it seriously and making sure my mind and body react at the same time.”
Like Mike Tyson, considered as one of the greatest heavyweight boxers of all time, Oosthuizen ‘found himself’ during his time in incarceration.
“Incarceration is a place where you spend most of your time locked up and excluded from not only everyone inside but obviously the world outside as well. This gives you plenty of time with yourself,” he reminisced.
“I spent this time reflecting upon myself through the Lord’s eyes.

“Clinging to God, taking me time and mediating, I just kept pushing myself to keep on going and acknowledging the mistakes I made.
“God never said life was going to be easy. I am a person, a human, I made mistakes, which I have to accept and rectify. These are all the things I am working on still.”

In an interview with another media house, Oosthuizen explained what his time in prison was like.

“Prison is actually an army base. I actually think our army system is a joke at the moment.”

Further explaining how he wasn’t proud of what he had to do inside to protect himself.

“I wasn’t proud of what I had to do inside, but there is a line of discipline you shouldn’t let the inmates cross. If you let someone push you around or you show any weakness, the wolves will descend on you. My trick was to bite the head off the biggest dog,” he chuckled.

“We are smiling about it now, but the reality of it is not funny at all. It was very tough inside, but you had to fend for yourself.”
This professional boxer has turned his life around, finding his way back into the lives of his children and the mother of his children, building relationships with his family and friends again. He is also on a spiritual journey with the Lord.
“I am taking life as it is, with my family and my children,” he said.

“Family is very important to me. I am passionate about my children and the mother of my children. She is an amazing mother and has been there for the children and me through thick and thin. I am just working at being a better man in God’s eyes, my eyes and my family’s eyes.”

Oosthuizen said he can’t wait to get back into the ring and continue doing what he has always loved to do, box.

“I am looking forward to the fights and am focused on what I am doing. I am managing and trying to be a true professional while enjoying what I do,” he explained.
“I can’t wait to get back in the ring, I am hungry to fight. Everything is going good and I am staying strong and positive.”

Also Read: Tommy Gun out of jail and into 36 months house arrest