NZBoxChat

Good luck to "the Butcher" in South Africa. Gotta wonder if John McRae will pick him up now that Duco let him go.

I think Butcher can sell even if he loses this fight. You know what you are going to get and you know it will be worth what you pay.
If he doesn't knock someone out there is a very good chance he will get knocked out trying and punters will be treated to a war.
Weather or not he can sell a PPV on his own is debatable but I think he can draw a decent crowd at any venue in Auckland

(06-03-2015, 03:04 PM)diehard Wrote: [ -> ]Good luck to "the Butcher" in South Africa.  Gotta wonder if John McRae will pick him up now that Duco let him go.

vslive.co.nz is streaming the fight and they appear to be associated in some way with Super 8 so it's probably a good bet.... good move I reckon, it was a reactive mistake to dump him in the first place IMHO...

I started recviing emails form vslive.co.nz a few weeks ago. The coverage of Hemi's fight looked as though it was taken by a 10 year old on a cell phone. Does anyone know how reliable this vslive.co.nz is? I'm presuming they would be taking the coverage from another tv network???
If I'm not working am keen to get it as its a handy undercard and I love watching the Butcher fight but would be keen to see if anyone knew how reliable it is first?

Oosthuizen set to defend IBO light heavyweight belt

By Ron Jackson

South Africa’s Thomas Oosthuizen could face a tough encounter when he defends his IBO light heavyweight belt against Robert Berridge of New Zealand at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park on Saturday night in a battle of southpaws. The 30-year-old Berridge comes into the fight as a late replacement for Roberto Bolonti who withdrew from the bout under controversial circumstances, and will be viewed as a significant outsider.

Berridge who is only ranked at number thirty by the IBO in their May rankings does not possess a fearsome reputation at world level, but could hold an advantage as an unknown surprise package and a knockout ratio of 81%. Oosthuizen’s defence is not always watertight.

The New Zealander has fought mainly in his home country, after making his debut in April 2007. He has compiled a record of 26-2-1, 21 KOs mostly against low key opposition.

The only name fighters on his record are Serge Yannick whom he stopped in eight rounds and Blake Caperello and Vasily Lepikhin who both outpointed him over ten rounds.

The 27-year-old Oosthuizen, with a record of 25-0-2, 14 KOs, held the IBO super middleweight belt before moving up to light heavyweight in March this year when he outpointed Ryno Liebenberg in a clash for the vacant IBO light heavyweight belt.

Berridge who holds the rather low rent IBO Oceania light heavyweight title which he won in April this year when he outpointed Andrew Robinson who has a reported record of 4-2, will be at a tremendous height and reach advantage against the lanky Oosthuizen who has a reach of 198cm and height of 193cm

In the main supporting bout former South African light heavyweight champion Johnny Muller 18-4-2; 13 KOs, who is now fighting in the cruiserweight division has a tough assignment when he meets Mateusz Masternek 35-2, 25 KOs from Poland over ten rounds.

The gutsy Muller, 24, has had his fair share of setbacks losing to Tshepang Mohale, Dou Ngambu and Ryno Liebenberg on two occasions in gruelling affairs.

The 28-year-old Masternek has been fighting as a pro for nine years and has been in with some top rated opponents. His only losses have been against Grigory Drozd (36-1) who stopped him in the eleventh round and a split decision loss to Youri Kayembre Kalenga (19-1) in a challenge for the WBA cruiserweight belt. Drozd from Russia is the current WBC cruiserweight champion.

In what could be an interesting matchup the 41-year-old former IBF junior lightweight champion Mzonke Fana 34-7 meets South African and IBO International lightweight champion Xolisani Ndongeni 15-0; 7 for the vacant WBA Pan African lightweight title.

Ndongeni, 25, who also held the South African junior lightweight title before moving up to lightweight has moved up from the Eastern Cape to Johannesburg and will be having his first fight under the guidance of trainer Colin Nathan from the Hotbox Gym

In the opening bout of the evening heavyweights Steve Shumba and Ruan Visser meet over four rounds and in an International welterweight contest scheduled for eight rounds Luyanda Jacko (SA) faces Roman Zhailauv (Kazakhstan).

The Box and Dine Tournament is presented Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions.

Berridge is a rough diamond. In amateur days he did so well not for his fight techniques but because of self belief and motivation set before him by his then coach Peter Derrick . Peter Derrick wasn't flash on fundamentals either but was the countries leading motivator. Vasco Kovacevic lends into the same mold, a top motivator and self belief strategist. Berridge will go into the fight with a no-fear self belief attitude and highly motivated. Kovacevic wasn't in his corner in the fight against the Russian, due to a visa problem.

Sham, Berridge's problem was fundamentals, as you pointed out. The Russian really exposed him, but I'm hoping his trip to Thailand? and a renewed focus on fundamentals will help him. He needs you, Sham. Yeah, no question about his self-belief and motivation, but it has only gotten him so far...

A tough fight coming up for Geale vs Cotto.

http://www.fightnews.com/Boxing/geale-im-feeling-as-good-as-i-ever-have-293338#more-293338

Oosthuizen forfeits IBO light heavyweight title on the scales

By Ron Jackson

IBO light heavyweight champion Thomas came in overweight on Friday for his clash Robert against Robert Berridge of New Zealand and as a result has forfeited his title. The fight will still take place and if Berridge wins he can claim the belt.

The fight has now been moved down the card and he is likely to face the ire of many extremely disappointed spectators when he arrives at Emperors Palace.

The South African was expected to retain his title by beating the New Zealander at the venue near Kempton Park. His supporters also expected him to prove he is one of the best in the world in the division.

Now Oosthuizen, who has a history of ill-discipline, has probably blown everything, including the goodwill of those who had helped him to win two “world” titles, such as promoter Rodney Berman and trainer Harold Volbrecht.

The main bout will now be the ten-round cruiserweight clash between Johnny Muller and Poland’s Mateusz Masternak.

The lightweight fight between Mzonke Fana and Xolisani Ndongeni, who meet for the WBA Pan-African title, has been elevated to the main preliminary.

The talented Oosthuizen’s career may end if he loses to Berridge, who is not rated as one of the best boxers in the division. In fact, the 30-year-old Kiwi is in 30th position on the IBF rankings list.

But it does not mean he is a pushover. He has won more than 80 percent of his fights inside the distance.

Oosthuizen, whose defence is not his strongest asset and whose motivation is probably shot, should expect a tough encounter in what will be a battle between southpaws.

Wow - great opportunity for Robbie. What an idiot. Fighting for a world title and he cant even make the weight?
Also must have been full-on for Butchers manager Vasco Kovacevic. 

Extract from the link at end of this post;
"A heated confrontation ensued between Kovacevic and Osthuizen’s trainer and with up to four of his boxers surrounding the kiwi and warning him to be careful because, “this is Africa”.

The kiwi manager withdrew and consulted with IBO officials who have confirmed that Berridge is still fighting for the IBO World Light Heavyweight title – if he wins the bout he will be crowned champion.

However Oosthuizen must vacate the title, and has forfeited 30 % of his purse. 20% going to Berridge and 10% to the South African boxing commission.

Kovacevic found the entire situation unnerving.

“It felt like deliberate intimidation which I found highly unprofessional, but ultimately we must come back to the fact that we made weight easily, we’ve done our job and it’s up to Tommy’s team to do theirs.

“We’ve been constantly reminded that Johannesburg isn’t a safe place and in light of some of the tension today will be hiring an armed security detail.

“Regardless of the drama, we are fighting for the world light heavyweight title, against the same opponent, who will now will carry an advantage in not having drained himself to make the agreed weight.

“Rob is ready, we know we are up against it, but we haven’t come to the lion’s den for nothing.”

http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/CU1506/S00124/world-champion-fails-to-make-weight.htm