Boxing fans will hardly have time to draw breath on October 27, with Golden Gloves’ second show of the weekend taking place at Emperors Palace less than 24 hours after the first, featuring Shervantaigh Koopman in a fascinating match-up against Brandon Cook.
While the October 26 tournament has rightfully cranked up interest levels, fans shouldn’t sleep on the Sunday afternoon show the next day. Several of the best local up and coming fighters will be on show.
These include Charlton Malajika, the younger brother of IBO champion Ricardo, whom Brian Mitchell enthuses about. He will be contesting the vacant WBA Pan-African belt at bantamweight against fellow prospect Sabelo Cebekhulu, who remains unbeaten after seven outings.
Akani Phuzi may not strictly qualify as a prospect – plans are afoot to catapult him into the WBC bridgerweight rankings – but he’s no less exciting or promising. It will be a year to the day since his last fight and he’s itching for action.
He’s likely to get plenty against Cape Town-based Amador Kalonji (7-1), a very capable cruiserweight whose only loss was a razor-thin decision against Keaton Gomes.
Trainer Damien Durandt says he is hard at work in the gym and looking forward to returning to Emperors Palace.
Fans of the bigger fighters will have a double treat with Alan Toweel prospect Tuvia Wewege, a southpaw, matched against Bonginkosi Nhlapo former amateur star, in a light-heavyweight six-rounder.
The boxing-rich Eastern Cape will also be well represented, chiefly by decorated former amateur Sanele “V16” Sogcwayi, who will be making his professional debut on a card that will also feature his brother Mhlanganisi (7-1).
The show opener will boast exciting Zimbabwean Ndabazinhle Phiri, who last time he fought at Emperors Palace upset Charlton Malajika, who tops this bill. Featherweight Phiri has since won two more fights to justify the growing headlines that suggest he might be special.
Boxing will start at 2pm.
