Tommy grinds his way back to the top
Tommy ''The Gun'' Oosthuizen, from Boksburg, a controversial boxer of late, claimed the vacant World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan Africa title, on August 27.
Oosthuizen headlined Real Steel Promotions’ latest boxing event, dubbed Gunslinger, at the Birchwood, beating Daniel ”Billy the Kid” Bruwer for the light heavyweight title, with a TKO in the ninth round.
The anticipated showdown marked the return of both fighters to a South African ring.
The undefeated Oosthuizen stepped into the squared circle for a competitive match, having been out for approximately a year, while Billy the Kid returned following a hiatus spanning approximately two years.
Before the fight, Real Steel Promotions promoter André Thysse quipped that Tommy was training very hard for the fight, and that he was at his training camp with a caretaker who monitored him all the time.
“It’s been well documented that he’s been battling with drugs these past few months; he comes from a dark time, but he’s clean now, he’s been clean for months,” said Thysse.
The win means Oosthuizen (26-0-2; 14), a former IBO Light Heavyweight World Champion, is rated on the WBA ratings again.
At the beginning of the year, Oosthuizen still had the opportunity to fight for the WBA light heavyweight title.
During January it was announced that he would face champion Juergen Braehmer at the Jahnsportforum, in Neubrandenburg, Germany.
The bout was originally scheduled to take place last November, in Monaco, before a hand injury suffered by the champion forced the fight’s postponement.
Yet, not long after the announcement, the former star boxer told Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman that he was not fit to challenge for the title.
This forced the cancellation of the big fight.
Saturday night’s supporting main event saw the dominant Patrick Mukala face off against the dangerous Khayeni Hlungwane.
Makula won by a second round TKO.
Other results were:
Emmany Kalombo beat Phakamani Mthethwa, first round KO
Roarke Knapp beat Joshua Ndou, TKO third round
Brandon Thysse beat Siyamcela Mntwana, fifth round KO
Baren van Rooyen beat Xolani Mvubu over eight rounds, on points
Alfonso Tissen beat Johannes Salie, TKO second round.
