|
|
Yank in SA to watch Baloyi |
|
|
|
|
Written by www.supersport.co.za
|
|
Wednesday, 09 April 2008 |
 American promoter Art Pellula will be in Mafikeng on Saturday night to see former five-time world champion Cassius Baloyi challenge Mzonke Fana for the IBF junior lightweight title. His presence could result in a unification fight later this year, particularly if Baloyi wins.
Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman and Pellula, his American associate, of Banner Promotions, will be at ringside for what could be a memorable fight. Berman says the bout could be a stepping stone for the 33-year-old Baloyi to set up a unification fight. "Art will offer Cassius terms for his first defence of the title if he beats Fana, which we regard as a certainty," Berman said this week.
Baloyi has been the most successful SA fighter for years but Fana is a tough customer, as he showed when he beat Malcolm Klassen to win the IBF title in April last year. "Fana is a clever boxer but there can be only one winner in this fights and it won't be the IBF champion," Berman said. Baloyi, who has won 19 of his 21 world title bouts, won world titles in 1996, 1998, 2002, 2006 and 2007. The 34-year-old Fana will rely on his mobility to retain his title. Berman has also disclosed that he plans to expand his interests in Australia after another successful tournament in Sydney last weekend.
"Australian boxing is revved up about the events we have staged there during the past five months," Berman explained. SA champion Isaac Hlatshwayo and Australian Robert Medley met in November last year and again last week in fights that drew much interest. Berman wants some top SA boxers and promising youngsters to fight in Australia soon. |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 09 April 2008 )
|
|
|
|
PhotoWire |
-
Heavyweight boxer Vitali Klitschko (L) and his manager Bernd Boe... Reuters
Heavyweight boxer Vitali Klitschko (L) and his manager Bernd Boente attend a news conference to announce his upcoming WBC title match against Samuel Peter in New York August 27, 2008. The match will be held at the O2 World arena in Berlin, Germany October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES)
-
Heavyweight boxers Vitali Klitschko (L) and Samuel Peter pose to... Reuters
Heavyweight boxers Vitali Klitschko (L) and Samuel Peter pose together during a news conference to announce their upcoming WBC title match in New York August 27, 2008. The match will be held at the O2 World arena in Berlin, Germany October 11, 2008. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid (UNITED STATES)
-
Olympic men's freestyle wrestling bronze medallist Sushil Ku... Reuters
Olympic men's freestyle wrestling bronze medallist Sushil Kumar (L) and Olympic men's middleweight boxing bronze medallist Vijender Kumar (R) pose with their medals as India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh watches before their meeting in New Delhi August 26, 2008. India's best Olympic Games amounted to three medals - not many, perhaps, for the world's second most populous nation but sports chiefs believe the performance will spark future success for the country. To match feature OLYMPICS/INDIA. REUTERS/Stringer (INDIA)
-
Olympic men's middleweight boxing bronze medallist Vijender ... Reuters
Olympic men's middleweight boxing bronze medallist Vijender Kumar (R) shows his medal to India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh before their meeting in New Delhi August 26, 2008. India's best Olympic Games amounted to three medals - not many, perhaps, for the world's second most populous nation but sports chiefs believe the performance will spark future success for the country. To match feature OLYMPICS/INDIA. REUTERS/Stringer (INDIA)
-
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (L) shakes hands with ... Reuters
India's Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (L) shakes hands with Olympic men's middleweight boxing bronze medallist Vijender Kumar as Olympic men's freestyle wrestling bronze medallist Sushil Kumar (2nd L) and President of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Suresh Kalmadi watch before their meeting in New Delhi August 26, 2008. India's best Olympic Games amounted to three medals - not many, perhaps, for the world's second most populous nation but sports chiefs believe the performance will spark future success for the country. To match feature OLYMPICS/INDIA. REUTERS/Stringer (INDIA)
|
|
|
|
