Berman cancels fight, says Tommy Gun is ‘a tragedy walking’

Heavyweight boxing promoter and Golden Gloves boss Rodney Berman has called-off the fight between Boksburg’s Thomas ‘Tommy Gun’ Oosthuizen and Thabiso Mchunu, which was likely to happen in June at Emperors Palace.

In a dramatic twist of events, Berman told the Advertiser this morning (March 13) that he was unaware that Oosthuizen (29) was in custody at the Boksburg Correctional Services on a drugs possession charge.

“This man is a tragedy walking,” scathed Berman.

“I cannot take a chance because I don’t know if he’ll be ready by June.

“I wanted the fight to happen because it was going to be great for South African boxing, but I just cannot take the risk with Tommy,” stressed Berman.

Berman said he found out Oosthuizen was in jail through a newspaper article.

Volbrecht optimistic

Oosthuizen’s manager and trainer Harold Volbrecht still believes that there’s a good chance of the fight going ahead despite the setback which has come in the form of Berman pulling the plug.

“Berman wants to pull out because he’s scared that Tommy might not come out of jail after his court appearance next week, but we’ll wait and see,” said Volbrecht.

“If Tommy gets out I will convince Berman to go on with the fight.”

* Oosthuizen, who hails from Van Dyk Park, was arrested for the possession of drugs in Boksburg North on February 3 and has been remanded in custody at Boksburg Correctional Services ever since. He is scheduled to appear in the Boksburg Magistrate’s Court again on March 19.

Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/boksburg-advertiser/311934/tommy-gun-in-jail-for-drugs/

Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/boksburg-advertiser/303520/tommy-gun-awaits-sentencing-on-damages-charge/

Also read: https://www.citizen.co.za/boksburg-advertiser/308598/tommy-gun-in-custody/