The local light-heavyweight division is in for a shake-up.
Keen to innovate and help give life to the division, promoter Rodney Berman is putting together a four-man tournament designed to produce outstanding fights between several of South African boxing’s best up-and-comers. He plans to pay them well and hopes the final may even see the vacant SA championship belt contested.
“We want to create more excitement,” Berman explained. “It’s seldom in South Africa that an opportunity arises in this shape and form for the youngsters.”
Indeed, apart from the exposure on television and backing of Golden Gloves, the fighters stand to earn excellent purses: R75 000 for each of the four with the winner pocketing an extra R125 000 and the runner-up taking home another R75 000.
The winner therefore stands to earn R200 000 and with it the chance to claim bragging rights as the country’s best.
Berman is eyeing a March date for the two six-rounders at Emperors Palace, with the final set for later in 2025.
Those already in the mix are Bryan Thysse (depending how he shapes on December’s card), Vuyani Kosana, Dylan Prosser, Tuvia Wewege, Michael Head and Bonginkosi Nhlapo.
Thysse, Nhlapo and Prosser are all unbeaten, and the other three are all more than capable of upsetting the form book.
“Let this be the incentive to get them training for the new year,” said Berman. “I’ve no idea who will emerge on top, but that’s part of the appeal. All I know is that these sort of events fire up the sport.”
