WBC carrot for Tommy ahead of IBO fight

THOMAS “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen’s upcoming IBO light heavyweight title defence against New Zealander Robert Berridge has been boosted by the offer of a WBC title challenge for the winner.

Oosthuizen will make the maiden defence of the crown he won from compatriot Ryno Liebenberg against the late substitute Kiwi at Emperors Palace on June 6.

Berridge replaces Argentinean Roberto Bolonti who withdrew from the fight under controversial circumstances.

And now not only will the winner walk away with the IBO title, but Canadian promoter Yvon Michel has promised to allow the winner to get a shot at his WBC champion Adonis Stevenson in September.

In an email to Oosthuizen’s promoter Rodney Berman, who will present next month’s fight under his Golden Gloves Promotion (GGP) banner, Michel asked if Oosthuizen would be available to fight Stevenson in September.

“We have a date for Stevenson in September and we would love to have him defend against Oosthuizen if he would be available,” Michel said.

Michel is the top promoter in Canada controlling almost all light heavyweight boxers under his Groupe Yvon Michel (GYP) promotion that has worked with various promoters to organise major shows both in Canada and US.

Berman is delighted with the news and has already conveyed it to Oosthuizen.

“Now Tommy must not only win against Berridge but he must produce a surefire performance,” he said.

Besides the offer to fight Stevenson who goes by the “Superman” moniker, Oosthuizen is already under the microscope of top US manager Al Haymon to fight in a Premier Boxing Champions on NBC.

Stevenson is already under the wing of the influential Haymon, making negotiations of the fight a lot more easier.

Stevenson is fresh from a points victory over Cameroonian-born, Australian-based Sakio Bika a few weeks ago.

The June 6 show at Emperors Palace will also feature other potentially exciting bouts, including a WBA Pan-African lightweight title clash between veteran Mzonke Fana and Xolisani Ndongeni.

Top Polish fighter Mateusz Masternak will meet Johnny Muller in a cruiserweight duel.