Action-packed fighting force
Boxing at its best at the first tournament of the year.
AFRICAN Explosion will be packed with action when newly crowned WBA and IBO straw weight champion, Hekkie Budler, takes the ring in his title defence.
A full bill of five bouts has been announced for African Explosion, taking place at Emperors Palace on Saturday March 1.
The main fight of the evening will see Budler in defence of his title against Karluis Diaz of Colombia. Budler is rated as number one by American boxing publication The Ring Magazine. “This comes with the sport and I am pleased that they rate me that highly, but I need to focus on Saturday’s fight,” said Budler.
In the undercard of the evening, hardworking Ryno Liebenberg will take on Uganda’s UK-based Joey Vegas in a fight for the WBC International light-heavyweight belt.
In his own words, Liebenberg said that he just wants to go into the ring and do his work. “I don’t care who I am fighting, I just want to get on with the work.” He wants to improve on his ranking and keep a clean sheet and prove himself against the top tenth-ranked contender.
Young prospect Adam De Moor will be joining his stable mates, Budler and Liebenberg from the Hot Box Gym under the watchful eye of trainer Colin Nathan, will continue his climb against Jeff Otimbio of the DRC. He will be looking for win number ten.
Johnny Muller, will also be taking a step up, his fight against Namibia’s Wilbeforce Shihepo, a good litmus test against a fringe contender. Muller has improved dramatically in the past 12 months. Beating Shihepo will confirm whether his international ambitions are justified.
Junior-flyweight Thabang Ramagole had four wins in 2013 and will be looking for more of the same as he enters his third year in the pro ranks against Sibusiso Twane.
Opening the evening’s boxing will feature promising featherweight Ricardo Hiraman against Phumudzo Monyai.
In the meantime Golden Gloves Promotions, Rodney Berman said. “We will be starting the Super Six tournament in July and it was approved by BSA, so all are on track for an exciting event, that will end next year in February.”
Both Liebenberg and Muller will feature as well as Tommy Oosthuizen, who has been given a chance back in the ring. They both spoke up their chances, but were quick to say they first have a job to do on March 1.
Boxing starts at 19:00 at the Theatre of Marcellus at Emperors Palace.
For more information and bookings visit the Emperors Palace website on www.emperorspalace.com or call 011 928 1297/1213 or Computicket on 0861 915 8000.
