Abanqobi.
Conquerors by name and conquerors by nature.
Following Friday’s successful tournament, this is the apt title given to Golden Gloves’ talent-laden show at Emperors Palace on October 26.
In announcing the bill at the Golden Gloves HQ earlier, promoter Rodney Berman confirmed the ascension of Shervantaigh Koopman to headliner status. The unbeaten South will contest the WBA’s Intercontinental super-welterweight crown against dangerous Brandon Cook of Canada.
Cook has swum in the deep waters of the division and fought many of the top names, no doubt a top-of-mind factor when Berman was considering opponents for Koopman.
The tough Cook represents a major step-up for the local man, although Berman said he would not have signed the bout if he didn’t believe his fighter could pull it off.
Koopman thus has a fantastic opportunity to make waves in one of the deepest divisions in boxing where the like of Terence Crawford, Sebastian Fundora and Tim Tszyu campaign.
Also featuring will be popular Brandon Thysse, whose resurgence has led to a fight against Junior Makondo for the SA junior-middleweight belt vacated by Koopman. The popular local star has a chance to land bigger fights if he can continue winning, so any slip-up against Makondo could be costly.
There is also a historical dimension to this fight with Thysse looking to emulate his late father Andre, who won the SA super-middleweight championship 23 years ago.
Surprisingly, very few local families have managed the feat.
Brian Mitchell was the first to do so when he won the SA junior-lightweight championship against Chris Whiteboy in 1983, following in the footsteps of Brian snr, who won the SA bantamweight belt in just his third fight, in 1962.
In 1986, Brett Taylor – the first fighter to drop Mitchell, in their amateur days – followed his friend’s achievement by winning the SA junior-welterweight championship against Arthur Mayisela.
Years before, in 1962, his father Bernie had captured SA featherweight honours.
This won’t be the only familial milestone come October 26. For the first time in South African history, a brother and sister will box on the same professional tournament.
Former King Edward schoolboy Dean Promnick (3-0) will feature together with his sister Tyla, aged 19, who will be making her professional debut under the tutorship of Alan Toweel.
“This is very special,” said Rodney Berman. “Tyla has already created a buzz, so we’re keen to see how she does. Dean is also coming along nicely and I like how calm and measured he was last Friday night, taking out Thando Mali without fuss.”
October will also herald the much anticipated featherweight debut of former amateur superstar Sanele Sogcwayi, who signed with Golden Gloves in July.
The Eastern Cape graduate has the look, experience, and desire to make an impression, something that excites the Golden Gloves boss.
“From his record and clips I’ve seen, I believe he’s one of those fighters who will go all the way to the top in a good division.”
Heavyweight Juan Alberts also sufficiently impressed Berman to rush him into his second pro bout.
Although his debut lasted less than a round – he knocked Mpendulo Ranapo out in double-quick time – Berman recognised flashes of rich promise.
“He’s a giant known as ‘The Gentleman’, but by his look and style I’m going with ‘Gentleman Foreman’,” said Berman, in a clear nod to the great George Foreman’s approach in his comeback years when he’d use his bulk and clubbing style to overcome opponents. We’ll bring him along nicely, as we’ve done in the past with the heavyweights.”
