‘I died before but now I want title’
Silverman survived shooting that nearly killed him
Revived boxer Jared “Mr Hollywood” Silverman will face South African-based Tanzanian Hamisi Gulaka at the Isibaya Casino in Durban on Friday evening.
Their non-title fight will be staged by Kalakoda Promotions owned by former trainer Steve Kalakoda of Cape Town.
“I died once before but God gave me a second chance and I intend to use it well to become a world champion,” said the 25year-old boxer who came back from the brink of death after being sprayed with bullets during a shoot-out in Alberton, Ekhuruleni, in 2014.
“I am so dedicated to boxing now that I am in the gym every day. My trainer Gert Strydom is a blessing in my life.
“He is one of the best trainers I could have asked for,” he said.
Silverman has eight wins in 11 fights. He is rated No 5 for the SA welterweight, held by Thulani Mbenge.
Said Strydom: “The boy is looking sharp. He keeps doing everything right.
“He’s focused and I think if he carries on like this, he will soon be in the ring for a title fight. I am actually preparing him for a WBF All African bout next month, but he has to win the fight on Friday.”
Strydom took the opportuni- ty to explain how his other charge, Thomas Oosthuizen, failed to win the IBO light heavyweight belt against Igor Mikhalkin in Germany last Friday.
“Tommy went into KO mode but it did not work out because he missed with most of his big punches,” Strydom said.
“He wanted a knockout because he thought he would be robbed if he went the distance.
“He also had a bit of a stomach bug a couple of days before but that is no excuse.”