No Palace coup for Kriel after training mishap
DEEJAY Kriel’s total commitment to training has dealt him a low blow after he injured his hand while preparing for his WBC silver mini-flyweight title defence against Filipino Toto Landero at Emperors Palace in two weeks time.
The fight, which was set to form part of the boxing extravaganza promoted by Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves Promotion (GGP), has now since been cancelled.
However the tournament headlined by Thulani Mbenge vying for the IBO world welterweight crown against dangerous Argentinian Diego Chavez will continue as arranged.
The show dubbed “Bombs Away” still features mesmerising bouts including an international cruiserweight clash between Thabiso Mchunu up against Latvian Ricards Bolotniks.
There will be appearances by the country’s hot prospects such as Rowan Campbell, Wayne Groth and Jay Jay Sonjica.
Kriel was also hoping he would showcase his talent in the show until disaster struck.
Buoyed by the record-breaking feat of his stablemate Hekkie Budler, who became the first ever boxer in the country to three major world titles after beating Japanese’s Ryoichi Taguchi to win the WBA, IBF and Ring juniorflyweight titles, Kriel doubled his training efforts not realising that he was pushing himself to the limit.
“You know when Deejay trains he goes all out so he needs to be monitored,” said his trainer Colin Nathan, who also trains Budler.
“I think it could be the result of over using his right hand.”
Kriel went for a scan last Friday to ascertain the extent of the injury.
Nathan said the boxer was gutted with the injury as he was looking forward to the fight which comes just after Budler’s feat.
“We are all disappointed by this turn of events but it is part of boxing, injuries do occur in the game.”
Nathan could only hope that the injury would heal soon so that Kriel could start rescheduling the fight for another date.
Berman was also understandably disappointed but allayed any fears that the show may lack the spark.
“Obviously the situation of Kriel is disappointing but we still have a great show on June 23 which will spark fireworks ,” he said.
Kriel has feasted on Eastern Cape opponents to build his fight record of 16 fights with an odd draw and a loss.
Among the EC boxers he has beaten are Xolisa Magusha (twice) Thembelani Okolo of Port Elizabeth and Ayanda Ndulani of East London. —