Gladiators ready to battle to end
LION-hearted fighter Ryno Liebenberg has warned his over-confident South African opponent Thomas Oosthuizen to remember the Ides of March on March 15.
These ring gladiators, who command a huge following, will go into battle for the vacant IBO light heavyweight title in the main bout of Golden Gloves’s Stand and Deliver bill at Emperors Palace tomorrow night.
The fact that Oosthuizen is yet to lose against a compatriot in 25 bouts makes him a hot favourite to win.
Oosthuizen is looking beyond Liebenberg as he has been earmarked to challenge either WBA light heavyweight holder Jürgen Brähmer or WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward.
But promoter Rodney Berman warned that it was not a foregone conclusion that the offer was only for Oosthuizen. That is probably why Liebenberg warned his foe to remember the Ides of March.
Their bout could take place in the early hours of Sunday morning [March 15] because there will be three more title fights that will be contested over 12 rounds.
Liebenberg is not getting carried away by three wins against boxers who are trained by Harold Volbrecht.
Instead, the Colin Nathan-trained boxer acknowledges Oosthuizen’s abilities.
‘‘ I’m expecting a f***ing hard fight,” he said, without mincing his words.
‘‘ Tommy ’ s mental state is his biggest downfall. If he stands and trades [punches with me], that will be the end of him.”
Oosthuizen said there was no way Liebenberg would defeat him.
‘‘ I made seven defences of the IBO title and I was beginning to ask myself how many more before I get a big break,” he said, in reference to the offer to face either Brähmer or Ward.
The tournament also features a Commonwealth lightweight championship fight between holder Richard Commey from Ghana against Thompson Mokwana.
Jasper Seroka will defend his SA junior lightweight title against Ashley Dlamini, while Dowayne Combrink and Giovanni Bushby will meet for the vacant WBA Pan African middleweight strap.
This box-and-dine event will be beamed live on SS7 from 7.30pm.