Four fights, four rematches!
Golden Gloves has ensured there will be additional needle with confirmation of four of the fights on the “Prospects at the Palace” bill at Emperors palace on the afternoon of July 24.
In the main event, SA welterweight champion Shaun Ness will attempt to go one better than he did in 2014 when he drew with Ntuthuko Memela. It was a rousing affair, although Ness’ fans will expect him to have improved, particularly given that he annexed the SA title in the interim.
Popular DeeJay Kriel admitted after his last fight against Ayanda Dulani that he let himself down with his performance, which ended in a controversial split decision draw. He now gets a chance to redeem himself with an eight-rounder against the selfsame Dulani, who boxed very well in April.
In his short nine-fight career, Kriel, who turned 21 this week, has already won two rematches, so the form is positive in his favour.
There’s a tasty rematch at lightweight, too, where house favourite Lucky Mongebane will seek to overturn his first career defeat against Xolani Ngidi. Mongebane lost his rhythm early in their first fight and paid for it. He, too, knows what must be done to reverse the score.
Light-heavyweight prospects Chaz Wasserman and Fiston Kabamba meet again in an undercard four-rounder after they were impossible to split two months ago.
Having discovered the hard way that he’s too small to campaign at junior-featherweight, Joshua Studdard has realised that his future lies at bantamweight where he, too, will feature. His lack of height and reach rather than any failing in his fighting style cost him his unbeaten record in April, but the likelihood is that he will find a comfortable home at bantamweight. We shall see soon enough.
Also to be featured are Stirling Shaw and Thulani Mbenge, two charismatic prospects seeking to make their mark.
As at the last “Prospects” show, there will be a jumping castle and other attractions for kiddies, with Golden Ringside seats, including a sumptuous buffet lunch, ensuring a great outing for the whole family.
