Exams in the ring, then in the classroom
● Tristan Truter admits he’s more nervous about his fight at Emperors Palace this afternoon than his matric finals, which start on Tuesday.
The welterweight, with a record of three wins and one loss, is appearing on the biggest stage of his fledgling career to date. “Fighting on the show [is more nerve-racking than writing exams]. Trying to impress everybody, because I know I can, I just have to show it.”
There seems to be an abundance of young talent in SA boxing at the moment. and this bill is showcasing some of that.
Six-time national amateur champion Ricardo Malajika, the second-youngest of five brothers who all boxed amateur together for years, is making his debut.
Destructive demeanour
Undefeated cruiserweight Keaton Gomes, who put his matric on hold last year to focus on his boxing, has impressed promoter Rodney Berman so far with his calm but destructive demeanour in the ring.
The Golden Gloves boss, who has already contracted the youngster, believes Gomes will end up a fully fledged heavyweight.
Jabulani Makhensi, fighting for the Gauteng junior welterweight title in the main bout, is another rising star.
It’s little wonder 19-year-old Truter is feeling the pressure of the occasion. By comparison, his looming exams should be a piece of cake. “I’m going to do good,” he insisted, though he wasn’t sure whether English or maths was first up.
“It doesn’t matter, I’ve studied for both,” said Truter, 17, when he lost his paid debut.
Younger brother Cayden, two years behind him at EG Jansen in Boksburg, was at the main press conference this week.
He’s the newly crowned SA amateur lightweight youth champion.
The talent pipeline is in healthy flow.