Red Beast clears final hurdle
ZULULAND’S SA heavyweight title contender Josh Pretorius made sure there was no hiccup in the run-up to his big fight against Luke Sutherland on 5 April, when he gave Malawian Limbani Lano a good workover in eShowe on Sunday.
Pretorius looked focused during his bout, dropping the Malawian to the mat twice in the second round.
Unfortunately, the Red Beast dislocated his thumb in the second round, but fought through the pain to record a points win.
‘We are pleased with how things went in terms of fitness, implementing new tactics and getting fight time before our title shot,’ said coach Corrie Pretorius.
‘Josh’s thumb is fine and this minor setback will not put a hold on any of our plans going forward for the big bout in April.’
Hungry fans were treated to a hard-hitting feast when 14 top fighters from all over the country, alongside two international brawlers, took to the ring in Sunday’s tournament hosted by Tap-Tap Boxing Promotions at the Mpungose Tribal Hall.
SABC 2 filmed the event, which will be broadcast on TKO shortly.
Among the boxing icons present was the legendary Elijah Tap-Tap Makhathini himself.
The first bout set the tone for the day, when KZN’s Snamiso Buthelezi recorded a first round knockout victory over Gautengbased fighter Linda Voko.
Victories kept falling in
KZN’s favour, with Mduduzi Mzimela beating Gauteng’s Thabang Mofula on points, Mpilo Cele recording a points win over Andile Sindi (Gauteng) and Sibonelo Nzimande beating Simphiwe Ntombela (Gauteng) on points.
The sixth bout of the day saw Democratic Republic of Congo’s Didier Nyembe picking up a points win over
KZN’s Marc Subramoney.
It was a good day at the office for the Red Beast camp as Josh’s stablemate, Petrus Cilliers, recorded a TKO win over Rafic Frazer (KZN) in the third round.
All focus in the camp will now shift towards the title fight scheduled for 5 April at the Umfolozi Casino Resort in Empangeni.