Young talent shows fighting spirit
New kids on the block pumps new blood in boxing.
THE young up-and-coming boxers blew hot and cold as they produced some of the best development boxing this year.
Thunder and Frightening Boxing Tournament was staged by AfricanRing and Golden Gloves Promotions (GGP) on October 21 at Emperors Palace.
In front of a sell-out crowd, seven bouts were staged and produced just as many stoppages. Fight of the day went to new kid on the block Ricardo Malajika from the South, who gave up his amateur status and made his debut on Sunday.
Boxing out of the Box Office gymnasium under the watchful eye of former professional boxer, Anton Gilmore and Raymond Cerfonteyn, he made heavy weather of Nkululeko Mnisi and dropped him to the canvas in round one to win by KO in the junior-bantam division.
“The child is a sensation,” he enthused. “He fought like a seasoned pro. It was just unbelievable,” said Rodney Berman from GGP. He has no intention to be cautious with the youngster, saying his amateur pedigree practically nixes the need to fight four-rounders.
“I’ll be looking to do an ABU fight very early, perhaps even in the first six months of next year.”
Malajika and Gilmore paid tribute with this fight to his former trainer, Billy Hurford, who died earlier this year. He is a former six-time South African amateur champion and represented the country on many occasions at the African Zone championship.
In the other highlight of the day was the much-anticipated pro debut of EFC star, Boyd Allen, who put on an impressive start to his boxing career.
He stopped his opponent, Lybon Ntshani, in the fourth round of the junior-middleweight division bout.
“I came from a boxing background and then was attracted to MMA, but decided that I would like to pursue my career as a professional in boxing. I think one gets more opportunities in the ring,” said Allen.
Berman said, “Boyd looked very promising and could make waves in the junior-middleweights. This was an important first step.”
In the Gauteng junior-lightweight title fight over 10 rounds another youngster produced in the South, Paul Mangxilana, had his opponent running out of luck. He stopped Lucky Monyebane to snatch up his title producing an excellent fight.
There was some consolation for Monyebane. Berman gave him and Mangxilana an extra R1 000 each for their entertaining contribution.
In the other Gauteng title fight over 10 rounds, unbeaten Jabulani Makhense dispatched Gift Bholo in six rounds for the Gauteng junior-lightweight title. He will be a headliner on a Golden Gloves show on February 10.
Mandla Mpofu from the South went down to Michael Markram in the light heavyweight bout over four rounds. Markram won by KO in round three.
Tristan Truter stopped Sibonelo Nzimande and won by TKO in the second round.
Keaton Gomes retained his unbeaten record winning by TKO in the final round of the Cruiserweight four-rounder against Siphesihle Bottman.
The next event will be the Christmas Cracker in December, book your seats with Jeff Ellis on 078 457 3030.
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