Ricardo Malajika, who can lay claim to being South Africa’s best boxer, will top a sensational Golden Gloves tournament at Emperors Palace on August 9 – ‘Mzansi Magic’ – that will also honour Women’s Day.
The IBO super flyweight champion will defend his crown against perennial contender Jayson Mama of the Philippines, a fighter well known for his speed and aggression.
Announcing the event earlier today, promoter Rodney Berman said that he and the Golden Gloves team had worked hard to ensure top match-making and a twist with no fewer than three female bouts also scheduled. This is both to recognise Women’s Day and acknowledge the burgeoning interest in women’s boxing with several top talents included.
“Ricardo is the big draw based on how well he’s done in recent years and his charisma,” said Berman. “He’s ranked third on the pound-for-pound lists behind Bam Rodriguez and I don’t think I’m sticking my neck out to say he’s number one in South Africa. We’re keeping him busy against credible opponents because we have every confidence in him.”
Another popular Emperors Palace regular, Roarke Knapp, will have his comeback bout against Rick Carcedo, also of the Philippines.
The junior middleweightis said to have re-tooled his style following his valiant loss some months ago to Bakary Samake.
Said Berman: “With the benefit of hindsight, Roarke fought a credible bout against Samake. I’m confident we can bring him back and have a plan to get him into the top 15. He wins this, there will be another outing in November.”
No Golden Gloves show of recent vintage is complete without big man Juan Alberts’ inclusion. The heavyweight, who looked unlucky last time out when he drew with Mateus Munhoz Da
Penha, will face Philip Ayeh Tetteh and look to inflict a first-time defeat on the Ghanaian.
Alberts is being brought along in the manner of so many local heavyweights before him: smartly, both to develop him and expose him to better and better fighters. The plan, ultimately, is to unearth another Kallie Knoetze or Gerrie Coetzee.
“I’m very happy with his development,” said Berman. “The way he works in the gym is encouraging . . . there’s no quit in him.”
On the opposite end of the scale, Tyla Promnick will continue her popular run at the casino venue, but she’ll have to share plaudits with Cayleigh Swart and Saarah Karriem. The Cape pair are stablemates and both in the early stages of their professional careers, earning quiet acclaim as they make their way.
