ONE of the most well-known boxers of yesteryear, Elijah “Tap Tap” Makhathini, will once again take centre stage at the next Golden Gloves promotions tournament .
A silent auction of memorabilia will be held with proceeds going towards “Tap Tap” to pay tribute to him. He is one of South Africa’s finest post war boxers and at the age of 73, the former South African middleweight, who fought boxers such as Charlie Weir, Bruce McIntyre and Gert Steyn, will be remembered by the boxing fraternity.
D-Day at the Palace, presented by Golden Gloves in conjunction with Emperors Palace, on Saturday, June 6, takes the form of a Box ‘n Dine with five of the best bouts. This includes the face-off between Mzonke Fana and Xolisani Ndongeni for the WBA Pan Africa lightweight crown.
The main bout of the evening will belong to local favourite from the East Rand, Tommy Oosthuizen, who has a fight against Robert Berridge from New Zealand. Berridge is an underrated banger who has fought world-rated Blake Caparello and Serge Yannick. The two will vie for the IBO light-heavyweight title.
Oosthuizen will have to come through this since he has a substantial offer looming on the horizon. Promoter Rodney Berman has been in firm negotiations for him to fight WBC light-heavyweight champion Adonis Stevenson in September. On the same card will be Hekkie Budler in a title defence. His opponent to be announced shortly.
The boxing fraternity can look forward to action packed end-of-the-year events. First the “D-Day at the Palace”, then a co-promotion by Golden Gloves and Jeff Ellis on July 30, and the September humdinger to be followed by a Monte Carlo tournament in November.
“D-Day at the Palace” tickets are on sale.
