WAS it one chance too many given to one of South Africa’s best boxers, or merely ill-discipline which made Tommy Oosthuizen lose his IBO light-heavyweight title on the scale?
This will be a point of discussion for many years, but the fact will go down in history that Oosthuizen was given a chance on a plate which he spoiled being overweight. “D-Day at the Palace” took place on Saturday, June 6, at Emperors Palace and was hosted by Golden Gloves Promotion.
The four bout bill was carded by Tommy Oosthuizen, current IBO light-heavyweight title holder, against Robert Berridge from New Zealand. But Oosthuizen caused a setback when he weighed in 500g over the weight limit at Friday’s weigh-in, automatically losing his world title, which became vacant. However, both camps decided that the fight must go on in order to give the challenger, Berridge, the chance to capture the IBO title.
On fight night, Oosthuizen was a shadow of the boxer he once was, but managed to swing the fight his way by means of a points decision by the judges. The results were 116/112, 117/111, 117/111. The New Zealanders didn’t accept the outcome of the judging panel.
Oosthuizen did not only lose his world title but also 30 percent of his purse money. Promoter Rodney Berman said: “Tommy has let everyone down yet again. It’s very disappointing. What I fail to understand is that nobody had the decency to come and tell us there was an issue. We had to find out when he was on the scales.”
Another upset on the evening, and for Berman, was the International Cruiser weight bout over 10 rounds, between Johnny Muller and Mateusz Masternak from Poland, which was elevated to the main bout of the evening with Xolisani Ndongeni against Mzonke Fana becoming the undercard.
The judges awarded the fight to Muller on a split decision 93/95, 95/93, 95/93. Berman was highly upset at the awarding of the fight to the South African and said: “Johnny put up an outstanding fight, but never won and, to say the least, the judge’s decision was an embarrassment.”
Muller was sent to the canvas twice by devastating punches from Masternak, but two judges called in his favour. Berman intends to petition Boxing South Africa to review this decision to clear his name of this injustice. However he mentioned that Muller is a good boxer and bigger fights awaits him.
Other results are:
WBA Pan African lightweight title – 12 rounds: Mzonke Fana vs Xolisani Ndongeni. The bout was won by Ndongeni by a point’s decision; 115/113, 115/113,114/114.
International welterweight bout – 8 Rounds: Luyanda Jako (SA) vs Roman Zhailauov (Khazakstan). The bout was won by Zhailauov by a TKO during the first round 2:34.
