Having committed to further help develop boxing’s young brigade, Golden Gloves will host a show dedicated to such fighters at Emperors Palace on July 23 – aptly titled “Dream Catchers”.
Although match-making is still in an early phase, the provisional headliner looks to be unbeaten Wade Groth challenging for the SA middleweight title against number one contender Thembalethu Makholwa, or Wynand Mulder. This follows champion Barend van Rooyen’s two-year doping ban.
As per tradition, Golden Gloves will also use the tournament as a fundraiser, in this instance supporting the laudable Reach for a Dream project, which encourages children to use their dreams to fight life-threatening illnesses.
The tournament will also serve to honour veteran boxing writer and historian Ron Jackson, who has been ringside since the 1940s and does tremendous work publicising domestic boxing.
Said Berman: “In the first instance, we have the chance to help make a difference for a tremendous charity organisation. Someone like [female promoter] Shireen Hunter sits on the board, so there is a natural affinity between boxing and Reach for a Dream. Regarding Ron, he’s an ever-present at boxing whose energy and output is remarkable. We’d like to doff our cap to him.”
The bill is filling up fast and fights will be made for unbeaten light-heavyweight Michael Markram and Karabo Morupi, who produced such a competitive bout against Markram a fortnight ago.
There will also be pro debuts for Keaton Gomes and Mike Watson, the cruiserweight from Durban.
There is also an outside chance that a rematch will be made between Lerato Dlamini and Sydney Maluleka after their closely-fought 12-round humdinger two weeks ago.
