Boxing champ makes Mbombela his home
"In the clearing stands a boxer and a fighter by his trade, and he carries the reminders of every glove that laid him down or cut him, until he cried out in his anger and his shame, I am leaving, I am leaving, but the fighter still remains.
” These are the words from the song “The Boxer” by Simon and Garfunkel, but it also tells the story of Jason Bedeman (25), one of South Africa’s most famous boxers.
He is a former IBO All Africa and WBA Pan African lightweight champion. His record stands at 23 wins with 17 knockouts and only two losses.
His most recent fight lost was in October last year. He took a heavy blow to the head when he was knocked out by his opponent Ali Funeka in the first round, but he was back on his feet again and preparing to go back to the ring for his comeback fight in true champion style at Emperor’s Palace on September 28. “As yet I don’t know who my opponent will be.”
Bedeman recently relocated from Johannesburg to Mbombela and has a private yogurt business at Sonpark. Lowvelder interviewed him at his work.
“I left Johannesburg as the media and fans were not giving me enough space and that is not who I am.” These words were indeed true due to the hundreds of articles about Bedeman published in national newspapers.
He said he took his winnings in the boxing world and opened his business here in the Lowveld. “I like the people here, they are friendly and my wife and I are settled here now.”
Bedeman said he began boxing at the age of 12. “I grew up in a tough neighbourhood and the only thing that got me off the streets was boxing. I owe everything I have in life to the sport.”
According to Bedeman boxing isn’t a sport but an art. “It is an art and each boxer develops their own style. I watched my hero in boxing, Mike Tyson’s style for years, then through his technique I found my own.”
Talking about the sacrifices to make it in the world of boxing, Bedeman said that it was all about discipline. “Growing up I couldn’t go to parties or go drinking with friends. I had to give up those things to get to where I am. My diet also requires constant monitoring, this is where boxers and other fighters like MMA, differ. We have to stay in our weight category constantly. So if I am called for a fight, I can be ready within three months as my weight cannot increase or decrease more than five kilograms.”
He said that fighters who didn’t remain in their weight categories and lost weight too quickly, could end up risking their lives. “Those fighters then collapse from dehydration and some have even died losing weight too quickly.”
Bedeman aims to enter into the world titles also within the next three months.
He also stated he was currently training young boxers and was interested in working with the local youth in the area.
“I just know there is untapped hidden talent here. Give me those boys who are troubled or need to fight to survive, and I can develop and train them as future world champions.”
Anyone interested in contacting Jason in regards to training can call
076-613-6089.
