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Boxing gloves.
The gloves are on, and the stakes are high ahead of one of this year’s final major boxing tournaments, Survivor, The Eliminator Round.
This weekend’s Golden Gloves event takes place at Emperor’s Palace on Kempton Park and has a R2.5 million prize purse.
It’s a first of its kind. Golden Gloves is bringing an eliminator boxing contest to South Africa.
Ricardo Malajika, who is a champion in two divisions, will square-up against Vince Paras for the International Boxing Organisation’s world super-flyweight title.
It’s Malajika’s 5th defense of his title and his opponent – an experienced Filipino – has had only three losses in 28 fights.
But Malajika is unfazed.
“We don’t look down on any opponent. We prepare for all our opponents the same. We are both young, 27, we are both hungry. The preparation went well, my team helped me. My manager is always in the gym as well. I have to impress him. Come Saturday night, I’ll do my thing again. I’m going to get a win,” says Malajika.
Phikelani Khumalo, who is trained by Colin Nathan at No Doubt Management, will be gunning for the ABU Middleweight title.
The 28-year-old former football player says the fight will be one-sided, but his opponent, ABU Middleweight champion Donjuan van Heerden, says he will do the talking in the ring.
“I’ve already told him that I’m going to smash him. There’s nothing else. I’m coming for you. I’ll demolish you. I know a lot of people think it’s going to be a fight. No, it’s going to be one sided. It’s going to go my way and it’s the only way,” he says.
The first bout at Emperors Palace on Saturday is at from 7pm.
