At 34 Tommy Oosthuizen, probably still South Africa’s best boxer if one purely judges according to natural talent and experience, is a frustrated man.

After being inactive for 30 months between March 2019 and September 2021 due to various reasons Oosthuizen – known to his fans as “Tommy Gun” due to his exceptionally quick hand speed in the ring – is currently trying to get his boxing career back on track under new management.

Unfortunately, however, there are clearly some influential forces in the South African boxing ranks who are trying to thwart Oosthuizen’s attempt to fight again at the highest level.

In the inner circle of South African boxing, this scenario is not strange. In fact, it has been going on for years and it’s probably one of the big reasons why the sport doesn’t come into its own in a country full of talent in this regard.

However, Oosthuizen is not only a fighter in the ring. He and his new management is also willing to fight outside of the ring to rebuild his career and make his dreams come true. That’s why he makes no secret of his belief that the forces currently trying to hold him back will give way at some point.

The only way out for him right now is to stay active and busy and that’s exactly what he’s doing with the help of 5th Element Promotions. That is why on Sunday 27 November he will be in action for the second time in a month at the Carousel Casino north of Pretoria in 5th Element Promotions’ eighth version of their Battle of the Warriors series.

Rekord has learned that 5th Element Promotions has signed a long-term agreement with the Carousel Casino and that boxing fans can expect boxing action at this famous venue on a regular basis over the next few years.

Oosthuizen will face Mussa Ajibu from Malawi in the main fight of the Battle of the Warriors 8 tournament, in which six more exciting fights will be presented on Sunday from 14:00. (See full fight card on artwork attached).

Ajibu is a 36-year-old veteran with 52 professional fights to his name. He is very active and with his experience should be a good test for the Oosthuizen camp to monitor their progress.

Still, Oosthuizen and his management see this fight as a further stepping stone to get his career back on track. This former junior and senior world champion makes no secret that his ultimate goal is to be able to tie a world title belt around his waist again. In fact, he is aiming for more than just one title.

“I want to win all the important cruiserweight titles and be known as unified champion,” he recently spelled out his new dream to Rekord.

Oosthuizen is currently, next to Akani Phuzi, the second contender for the SA cruiserweight title, which is held by Thabiso Mchunu. He also believes that he is already in good enough shape to challenge Junior Makabu for his WBC title soon. Makabu is from the DRC, but fights from South Africa and these days is connected to Harold Volbrecht’s gym in Boksburg.

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