GALLERY: Guts put Oosthuizen in pole position

ONE of the most talented boxers in South Africa has made his way back to the ring, putting on a gutsy performance to be crowned the African Boxing Union (ABU) Cruiserweight champion.

Staged by Golden Gloves Promotions in conjunction with Emperors Palace, the much-anticipated Call for Glory boxing tournament took place on September 1.

Tommy Oosthuizen bagged the ABU Cruiserweight belt from Thabiso Mchunu on a points decision by the judges of 115/113, 115/113 and 114/114.

He reminded the frantic crowd of his skills as he tapped away and avoided the bomber shots from Mchunu to secure a win for his camp, The Hammer Gymnasium, where he boxes under the guidance of well-known Harold Volbrecht.

The Mchunu camp, Smith Gymnasium, fighting under trainer Peter Smith, showed their disappointment in the way in which the bout was judged. They clearly didn’t see Oosthuizen snatching the title away from them.

All predictions are that a rematch is on the table as early as December 8, but promoter Rodney Berman will meet with the camps and a date will be set.

Oosthuizen has also put out the word that he would like to meet Kevin Lerena in the ring for his International Boxing Organisation (IBO) Cruiserweight title.

“Honestly, I don’t need Tommy at this stage of my career, but if the money’s right, it makes sense,” he said from ringside, impressed with Oosthuizen’s skills even while rooting for Mchunu.

Oosthuizen said he knows that Lerena has an arm injury but is prepared to wait, to which Lerena responded, “If you want it, you can get it.”

In the other title fight, ABU Super middleweight between Ryno Liebenberg and Alfonso Tissen over 12 rounds, Liebenberg proved too strong and experienced for his opponent and won by TKO in the first round 1:48 seconds.

Liebenberg promised a knockout and hammered his way through a spirited Tissen, who had no answers to the inside skills his opponent displayed throughout the fight.

The fight of the night should go to Michael Mokoena, who was the underdog, in a bout against Lusanda Komanisi. The fighter from the South, Mokoena, was offered no chances in his contest in the lightweight bout over 10 rounds. But Anton Gilmore and Raymond Cerfonteyn, trainers/managers, had something else in mind when their fighter stepped into the ring.

At times everything was going Komanisi’s way, even sending Mokoena for the full count in round two. But then round four arrived and Mokoena and his camp worked out what they should do to show their intention. Mokoena rocked Komanisi with the perfect right hand to send him to the canvas and won by TKO in the fourth round 48 seconds.

Up-and-coming cruiserweight Keaton Gomes showed promise as he demolished Tshilidzi Mulaudzi, only needing one round to win by TKO 2:23 seconds. The embattled Mulaudzi posed no threat to the upcoming young talent from the Smith Gymnasium.

The opener saw unbeaten middleweight Cowan Ray winning by unanimous points decision by the judges, all scored 59/55.

Ray was, however, made to work for his win by Jade Karam from the South and was rocked by his overhead shots, but he eventually pulled off the win.

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