SA’s boxing fight of the year involves no boxers
It has been billed as South Africa’s fight of the year – and neither of the estranged contestants in this bruising battle that has tended to sidestep the Queensbury Rules is a boxer.
However, when it came to delivering a lethal blow, loquacious trainer Nick Durandt claimed yesterday he had Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman reeling on the ropes after Moruti Mthalane became the third fighter under his guidance to annex an IBF title in recent months following a unanimous flyweight victory against Mexico’s Julio Miranda at the Wembley Arena in Johannesburg last Friday.
Other fighters under Durandt’s tutelage who gained notable IBF title successes are Isaac Hlatshwayo (welterweight) and Simphiwe Nonggqayi (super flyweight), who upset the form book by accounting for American Delvin Rodrigues and Mexican idol Jorge Arce respectively.
Seemingly bosom buddies and close associates earlier in the year, Durandt and Berman’s relationship turned sour when Silence Mabuza, frustrated by his lack of action, left the Golden Gloves fighting stable to join rival Branco Milenkovic’s Branco Sports Productions, where Durandt is presently conducting most of his business.
“Since then in what is an out-and-out vendetta,” claims Durandt, “Berman has been on a campaign to siphon away my most accomplished fighters.
“First there was Zolani Marali, then Isaac Chilembe, Hlatshwayo, Baloyi, Vetyeka and numerous others.
“Boxers are free to go where they please,” added Durandt.
“This is a concerted campaign that has been directed against me.
“More to the point, look at the fighters who have left me, none of them have been the same since.”
As for a reconciliation with Berman, the direct Durandt replied: “If he was the only boxing promoter on this earth, I’d rather retire from the game than join him.
“I don’t hate him,” said Durandt. “but I despise his tactics in trying to ruin me – which have failed miserably if you look at my three IBF title wins this year and his achievement where he has one champion in Welcome Ndou – and he is not even a South African anymore and is living in Australia.”
Berman, meanwhile, says he will not provide a detailed reply.
“Rather ask the boxers who have left Durandt,” he added, “ they will provide you with a host of valid reasons as to why they have moved elsewhere.”
– Sapa.