‘Tommy Gun’ matched against dangerous Bryant

MESULI ZIFO

SOUTH African boxing sensation Thomas “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen has been given a tough opponent for his IBO super middleweight title defence at Roseland Ballroom, New York, US, on August 2.

Oosthuizen’s promoter Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions (GGP) confirmed yesterday that the 24-year-old southpaw will take on American Rowland Bryant headlining a show promoted by his US associate Lou DiBella.

The clash against Bryant, 32, comes when Oosthuizen has been made several lucrative offers including an IBF title challenge against Englishman Carl Froch in October.

“Tommy Gun” has also been promised to headline a ShoBox tournament in US if he is successful against Bryant.

With these tantalising offers on the table GGP was expected to choose a fairly easy foe to avoid jeopardising Oosthuizen’s big moment.

However, Berman and DiBella have no problem settling for Bryant, who has lost just once in 17 bouts and will be coming to the fight fresh from his sensational third round stoppage victory of tough Canadian Librado Andrade this past April.

Andrade, who gave compatriot Lucian Bute fits in their first fight when they battled for the IBF crown announced his retirement after his brutal defeat by Bryant.

Asked why they went for such a dangerous opponent for Oosthuizen when he has mega bouts on the horizon, the GGP boss said his southpaw charge had proved himself as one of the best fighters in the world capable of beating any super middleweight opponent.

“Tommy has passed the stage of being given easy opponents and the Americans expect him to keep living up to his reputation of being the best in the world,” Berman said.

Oosthuizen whose only blemish in 20 bouts was a draw against Isaac Chilembe, is coming off a good victory over another American fighter in Marcus Johnson on April 27.

Meanwhile, GGP will today hold a press conference at Emperors Palace to announce a blockbuster tournament scheduled for September 22.

However, Berman declined to divulge the name of the fighters to feature in the tournament but assured that the show would be one of the best GGP fights this year.