06-04-2015, 11:55 AM
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.
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.