BIG PLANS AFOOT FOR MBENGE
Berman eyes top contenders
RECENTLY crowned African Boxing Union welterweight champion Thulani “Tulz” Mbenge cannot afford to look ordinary against Ntuthuko Memela on Saturday evening.
A below-par performance in Golden Gloves’ Thunder & Lightning bill at Emperors Palace may impact negatively on Mbenge’s future prospects.
This is because “Tulz” will forfeit his place in the lucrative Welterweight Super Four tournament that promoter Rodney Berman will have later this year.
Berman has mentioned Mbenge’s name among some of the potential contenders for the event.
“I am considering Chris van Heerden, Charles Manyuchi [WBC number three] and perhaps Thulani Mbenge or Paul Kamanga,” said Berman, who earned BSA’s lifetime achievement award at the function in Durban last Friday night.
“I was also looking at Chris Algieri who would be a great draw card for an event of this nature.”
Berman said each of the boxers brings solid credentials to the action.
“Van Heerden (25-2-1) is a grizzled pro while Manyuchi (20-2-1), from Zimbabwe, travelled to Russia and dominated unbeaten Dmitry Mikhaylenko to win the WBC silver belt,” said Berman, who still has a penchant for super tournaments despite having done just that over 38 years.
“Mbenge (8-0) is the X-factor in the mix. He’s a terrific prospect who would presumably jump at the chance, although it may come a year too soon for him.”
Kamanga is a former WBA PanAfrican welterweight champion who tasted defeat after 19 straight wins last year. The Congolese is now based in the UK.
Algieri is an American former WBO junior welterweight champion who has 21 wins from 24 bouts.
“Provisionally, the plan is an elimination round on May 20 at Emperors Palace, each of the participants receiving R250 000,” said Berman.
“The two victors of the May tournament will then go forward to fight each other again at Emperors on August 12 for a 60/40 split of R1-million in favour of the winner.”
Berman staged the Cruiserweight Super Four last year.
Kevin “Ko Kid” Lerena won it and took home 60% of $100 000 (R1.3-million) purse money.