A brave new world could be opening up for Golden Gloves.
Promoter Rodney Berman revealed yesterday that he was in talks with a Chinese consortium to establish formal boxing links. Apart from doing co-promotions in SA and China, they have also discussed an exchange programme where SA fighters would fight in China and Chinese fighters would box here.
“I’m not at liberty to disclose names, but negotiations are at an advanced stage and looking promising,” he said. “There’s a show coming up in Macau and we might even look to put [IBO champions] Hekkie Budler and Simpiwe Konkco on there.”
Berman added that talks had begun as far back as two years ago and he was hoping to confirm a long-term plan.
“My proposal is sitting with them, so let’s see how that goes.”
Chinese boxing is on the up with a number of top fighters emerging. Three years ago Budler fought Chao Zhong Xiong, while others on the move include heavyweights Jun Long Zhang and Zhilei Zhang and WBO flyweight champion Zou Shiming.
