Last minute knockout for Beast’s title fight

By last minute title fight postponement

ONE cannot blame SA heavyweight contender Joshua Pretorius for believing the boxing gods might be conspiring against him.

After months of punishing training and meticulous planning, the Red Beast was locked and loaded for his title fight against Tian Fick in Cape Town tomorrow (Friday) night.

Brimming with anticipation for the detonator to be activated so he could explode in the ring, Josh and his brains trust were packed and ready to leave for the King Shaka Airport on Tuesday - only to receive a call that the big fight has been called off at the last minute. In-between speaking in languages, the Pretorius entourage was informed that a dispute between the promoter, Jackie Brice Promotions, and Boxing South Africa was the reason for the calamity.

The fight is now scheduled for 11 December.

At the core of the dispute is the Covid-19 bio-bubble regulations in place for boxing tournaments, which the promoter apparently did not meet. Although an application to reduce the isolation time to 72 hours instead of the required 10 days was submitted to SA Boxing, it was not yet sanctioned by Tuesday.

This was not conveyed to the Pretorius camp, who was under the impression that it was all systems go.

Fick picking up a bout of bronchitis further complicated matters.

‘I was absolutely gutted, livid in fact when I heard the news. I have been preparing for this fight for so long and was peaking both mentally and physically,’ said a frustrated Joshua Pretorius.

It seems like fate is standing in the Zululander’s way, since this was the second time his title fight has been cancelled or postponed close to fight night.

Earlier this year he was scheduled to fight former stable mate Luke Sutherland for the WBA Pan African heavyweight title before the Covid-19 pandemic intervened.

But after the initial disappointment, Josh realised it would be counter-productive to vent his fury on matters he had no control over.

‘All one can do now is take it on the chin, re-align yourself and adjust your training regime to peak for the new date.’

Since SA Boxing has since approved the 72-hour application, the camp will now fly to Cape Town on Tuesday, 8 December.

Fick said he was unable to train, breath or sleep because of the bronchitis last week.

‘I did not want to let anybody down and am still recovering from the illness today, but the doctor said I will be back in full training next week.’

Although affected by the postponement, Josh’s fans remain unperturbed.

‘Its going down, whether in November or December. ‘The Red Beast is hungry and the longer he waits, the hungrier he gets. Red Beast for the win,’ posted Keri Binks.

‘Stop this bio-bubble things. This was made for soccer to finish up the season,’ wrote Bongani Dlamini.

‘As jy bang is, dan begin jy met fieterjasies. Siek van bangheid. Doesn’t matter, Josh will triumph,’ said Frans Potgieter.

I was absolutely gutted, livid in fact when I heard the news. I have been preparing for this fight for so long and was peaking both mentally and physically