Ballito boxing a knockout success

Ballito boxing fans enjoyed top-class fighting at the SMD Muscle Box and Dine tournament in Ballito at SMD’s showroom last Friday night.

Former boxers Francois ‘The White Buffalo’ Botha and Hardy Mileham brought about the Box and Dine evening to boost support for boxing in KZN.

“We are grateful to SMD for their generous support. It is our aim to provide young and upcoming boxers an opportunity to showcase their boxing skills in the hopes that they will one day be able to have the opportunity to see the world through the disciplined sport of boxing – in the same way that Francois Botha did,” said Mileham.

Eight professional bouts entertained the audience late into the night, including a debut of the lighter variety for popular East Coast Radio DJ Darren Maule.

Maule was led to believe that he would be up against former world heavyweight champion, ‘The White Buffalo’. After entering the ring Botha stepped aside and Hardy Mileham Junior appeared in the ring.

Still Maule showed innovation as he moved to surprise his opponent with his boxing knowledge as an “accomplished couch pugilist”. This included showing up in the largest boxing trunks ever seen, which he pulled up to his armpits in order to invoke the ‘no hitting below the belt’ rule. Just when the audience thought he was done for Darren won his fight against Hardy by pulling a classic Tyson maneuver, and biting into his ear. With his opponent in shock Darren quickly took advantage and knocked him out.”Everything about the SMD Boxing night was genuine and it was a privilege to be a part of it. That was an experience that I can definitely tick off my personal bucket list,” said Darren.

Five professional boxers also marked their pro-debuts, and under the watchful eye of Boxing South Africa’s provincial representative, Les Andreasen, several of them made winning starts to their professional careers.

The main card between popular Ballito boxer David Rajuile and Mthunzi Dlamini lasted four gripping rounds before David was named the winner.

Ballito’s Armand Herbst continued his winning streak by knocking out his opponent Sphamandla Madlala in the second round with a straight left. Herbst’s trainer Hardy Mileham said, “I have a lot of confidence in Armand and I have no doubt that he will go far in professional boxing.”

A Hall of Fame auction on the night fetched a total of R61 900, 20% of which will go towards Buffalo Soldiers – a boxing talent search show which is televised.

“I hope that this will be the first of many boxing ventures for us in KZN,” said SMD spokesman Vaughn Williams.

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