By Ron Jackson
Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions has announced details of a bumper tournament to be held on December 8 at Emperors Palace near Kempton Park, with the highly anticipated return match between southpaws Tommy Oosthuizen and Thabiso Mchunu for the ABU cruiserweight title, heading the bill.
In the first match-up on September 1, Oosthuizen (28-1-2, 16 KOs) moving up a division captured the vacant African Boxing Union cruiserweight title on a majority 12 round points decision. The referee was Simon Mokadi with judges, Thabo Spampool and Francis Manning both scoring the fight 115-113 and judge Phumeza Zinakile had it 114-114.
Many in attendance at ringside felt that Mchunu (19-5, 12 KOs) had done enough to take the decision so it was an easy decision for Promoter Rodney Berman to sign up a rematch.
The officials for the return fight have been announced and Thabo Spampool will be the referee this time.
Spampool a former professional fighter is an experienced official and the highlight of his career was as a judge for the world heavyweight championship fight between Lennox Lewis and Hasim Rahman at Carnival City near Brakpan, when in one of the biggest upsets in heavyweight boxing history Lewis was knocked in the fifth round.
The judges for the return fight between Oosthuizen and Mchunu are Simon Xamlashe (South Africa), Michael Neeqwave (Ghana) and John Shipanuka.
Also on the bill is the exciting Thulani Mbenge (14-0, 11 KOs) who will be making the first defense of his IBO welterweight belt against the vastly experienced former IBF lightweight champion Miguel (Vazquez 40-6, 15 KOs).
This will be a tough test for Mbenge against the durable Vazquez who has been fighting as a pro since January 2006 and has only lost one fight inside the distance.
Another interesting match is Wade Groth making the first defense of his South African middleweight title against Walter Dlamini.
Prospects junior-middleweight Boyd Allen and junior-bantamweight Ricardo Malajika will also be featured on the bill.