Murray from the UK makes debut on SA soil

WELL known in the boxing fraternity in the UK, Martin Murray, will be featuring in his first ever appearance on South African soil.

The stern Murray, a world-class rated boxer in the middleweight division, will face Ishmael Tetteh from Ghana in one of the most exciting Box ‘n Dine Bulldog Projects Malice at the Palace.

Yet again AfricanRing has jelled together one of the most exciting bills of late. Malice at the Palace will take place on Wednesday April 23 at Emperors Palace. Boxing start at 19:00.

The Murray team has signed on with Golden Gloves Promotions and according to him: “You will be seeing a lot of me in future. We are very impressed with the style of Rodney Berman. I don’t know a lot of my opponent, but that does not change things for me, my business is in the ring, and I am very excited to be out here for my first time in the country.”

His advisor, Andrew Mikhail, said that the WBC number five had been wooed by a number of international promoters, but they had finally signed for Golden Gloves because “they gave us a plan no-one else could”.

Sponsored by Bulldog Projects, the tournament has taken on a world-class dimension thanks to the inclusion of Murray’s fight against Ishmael Tetteh.

In the main undercard of the evening, which will obvious take the limelight, is local prime boxer, Paul Kamanga from Box Office, and under the watchful eye of trainer Anton Gilmore and manager Brian Mitchell – all from the South.

Kamanga will come up against none other than another well groomed boxer, Adam de Moor, in the junior welterweight division over ten rounds, who box from out of the Hot Box Gymansium, under one of South Africa’s most promising young trainers, Colin Nathan.

“Whoever wins has his path, while the other boxer will have his, but for both there is a place in the welterweight division in South Africa and on the international front,” said Golden Gloves’ Rodney Berman. “Of course the winner will have his way faster to a world title fight, and we are planning to take him into the Monte Carlo bill, but the loser will also have his road cut out.”

Both boxers are confident that they are as fit as a fiddle and each boxer respect the other. “I have trained very hard and will be at my best,” said the Bulldog Project sponsored Paul Kamanga.

“This is the fight I have been waiting for and I know I can beat him,” said De Moor, who originally came from Mosselbay, but has made Johannesburg his home.

In the other bouts: Vhonani Tshithaboni vs Page Tshesane – super middleweight over six rounds; Herbert Nkabiti vs Boitshepo Mandawe – junior welterweight eight rounds; Chris Mabombo vs Martin Makabu – heavyweight four rounds; Luyanda jako vs Grant Fourie – junior welterweight six rounds.

Meanwhile, Jeff Ellis said he had a batch of tickets returned to the market and fans are welcome to call him on 078 457 3030 to make arrangements.