Big fight on the cards – The Lion ready to grapple with Tommy Gun
Ryno ''The Lion'' Liebenberg and Thomas ''Tommy Gun'' Oosthuizen will headline Golden Gloves’ latest Stand and Deliver fight card, at Emperors Palace, this Saturday.
The bout is dubbed ”the biggest fight in history of domestic boxing in the country” by promoter Rodney Berman.
Stand and Deliver will feature four 12-round title fights, namely the South African Junior Lightweight Title, the Commonwealth Lightweight Title, the WBA African Middleweight Title and the vacant IBO Light Heavyweight Title.
Asked for his thoughts about the event and its main bout, at a gathering at Emperors Palace, on Tuesday, March 10, Berman said: “It’s a great tournament, including four title fights.
“Tommy is ranked fifth on the World Boxing Council (WBC) ratings and Ryno is eighth; it’s the biggest light heavyweight domestic fight in the history of boxing in South Africa.
“Everyone who will be watching will have a treat.”
Liebenberg will have respected trainer Colin Nathan in his corner and, like his trainee, Nathan believes his team, including Ashley Dlamini, who will feature in the card’s first bout, will upset the odds come fight night.
“The odds are stacked against us this Saturday,” said Nathan.
“We’re not supposed to win these fights, but there’s no doubt in my mind that we will,” he continued, before commenting on the main event.
“I wouldn’t have accepted the Ryno fight if I didn’t know we’ll win. I love upsetting the odds, we are in this to win it.”
Asked for his thoughts on the main bout, Oosthuizen’s trainer and former multiple welterweight champion, Harold Volbrecht said: “I don’t have sleepless nights over this fight. It’s a fantastic show for the country and it’s what the public wants. We’re not taking Ryno for granted, Tommy did his homework.
“I still believe Tommy is the most talented fighter in the country.”.
The men in question were also given a chance for their final words before the fight, and first was challenger Liebenberg.
“My boxing career has gone full circle. Come Saturday night, I’m going to fight like a lion.
“I did everything I could do to prepare, we’ve talked the talk and walked the walk, Saturday night is going to be a show.”
Oosthuizen, who’s normally vocal at pre-fight gatherings, was brief in his response.
“I’m looking forward to Saturday night, preparations have been done. Good luck to Ryno, good luck to you guys (Liebenberg’s team), God bless you,” he said.
Order of bouts:
South African Junior Lightweight Title – 12 rounds
Ashley Dlamini v Jasper Seroke
Commonwealth Lightweight Title – 12 rounds
Thompson Mokwana v Richard Commey (Ghana)
WBA African Middleweight Title – 12 rounds
Dowayne Combrink v Giovanni Bushby
IBO vacant Light Heavyweight Title – 12 rounds
Ryno Liebenberg v Thomas Oosthuizen – @SabeloBoksburg
