Golden Gloves seeking gold in England

Berman, who already secured an English promotional licence for Golden Gloves, said there would be a major announcement in this respect next week.

“Boxing is booming in Britain,” said Berman.

“And it makes good sense to share in the action. But it will also be a much-needed boost for South African fighters.”

Berman said the rand-dollar exchange rate made hosting top-rated fighters in South Africa a problem, and was the main reason for moving the fights abroad.

“Golden Gloves outlets in Monte Carlo and England will now provide them with additional opportunities to break into the big-time and secure profitable international recognition.”

However, the promoter said this would not curb his South African activity at his long-term tournament headquarters at Emperors Palace, next to OR Tambo International Airport.

Golden Gloves are promoting a tournament at Emperors Palace on Monday night featuring unbeaten cruiserweight Kevin Lerena and former IBF champion Malcolm Klassen.

Berman is also putting his two current top drawcards on the line in Monte Carlo where WBA and IBO strawweight champion Hekkie Budler and WBC Silver light-heavyweight champion Rayno Liebenberg will be fighting on October 25.

Budler will be defending his titles against China’s former WBC champion, Xiong Zhao Zhong, while Liebenberg, fresh from his success over Russian Denis Grachev at Emperors Palace in August, will come up against another unbeaten fighter in the highly-rated Canadian-based Colombian Eleider Alvarez.

Berman is a co-promoter of the tournament at the Salles des Etoiles in Monte Carlo. Defeat for either Budler or Liebenberg on foreign soil would dent their image and jeopardise the big plans Golden Gloves had for them.

Berman, however, expressed confidence his two trump cards would win in Monte Carlo.

Apart from his WBA and IBO belts, Budler is ranked number one strawweight in the world by Ring Magazine.

Unlike Budler, Liebenberg will be coming up against a fighter on the up.

Liebenberg is rated sixth by the WBC and Alvarez is at number 11. Ring Magazine however ranks the Colombian among their top 10 light-heavyweights, with Liebenberg not listed.

– Sapa