Locals meet boxing stars

Two boxing greats, who were both inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in 2009, crossed paths again the past week at Emperors Palace during the build-up to the WBC Interim Bridgerweight world title fight.

South Africa’s Kevin ‘Two Guns’ Lerena and the German-based Albanian, Senad Gashi, will go toe-to-toe in this highly anticipated fight.

The two Hall of Famers, 14-time super featherweight world champion Brian Mitchell of Bassonia and the last undisputed heavyweight world champion, Lennox Lewis, caught up on November 24 at a special cocktail function held for the legendary British boxer.

These icons subsequently watched Lerena beat Gashi on a unanimous points decision in the headline bout of the Double Down@The Palace Box and Dine Tournament at the Palace of Dreams on November 25.

In so doing, Lerena became only the third South African in history to win a WBC world title.

The other two WBC belt winners were the great Thulani ‘Sugar Boy’ Malinga and Dingaan ‘The Rose of Soweto’ Thobela.

South African boxing star’s supporters, dubbed the Lerena Army, were out in force for the final weigh-in ahead of the tournament.

Lerena’s fans, including Tristan McCrudden of Randhart, took the opportunity to get some autographs from the Fourways boxer ahead of his big fight against Gashi.

Apart from seeing all the fighters make their weight for the big fight night, the fans also got to meet legends of the sport.

Not only did they meet Thobela Mitchell and Malinga but Harold ‘The Hammer’ Volbrecht was also present.
They were later joined at the press conference by the guest of honour, Lewis.

Also in attendance was a man who needs no introduction in boxing circles, former heavyweight boxer, trainer, promoter, boxing memorabilia collector and boxing event organiser par excellence, Jeff Ellis.

During his career, the heavyweight legend fought Hasim Rahman at Carnival City, a programme Ellis helped produce for promoter Rodney Berman.