It is lamentable that South Africa – which commands massive respect in the boxing world – still has trainers, managers and promoters who seem not to respect and appreciate peoples’ opinions on match-ups that involve their charges.
Tipping a boxer to win a boxing match does not mean you dislike either boxer, it’s merely an opinion.
Last week, Nkululeko “Bulldog” Mhlongo was tipped as the hot favourite to walk over John “Section 29” Bopape in Durban on Saturday.
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But Bopape upset the bookies, defeating Mhlongo by a majority points decision in the Starline Boxing Promotion tournament.
It is within boxing fans’ rights to express their opinions on the anxiously awaited shoot-out between Rowan “Braveheart” Campbell and Ryno “The Lion” Liebenberg, which will headline a Golden Gloves tournament at Emperors Palace on March 14.
Predictions generate big interest which is further fuelled by verbal barns between the two boxers’ trainers – Peter Smith and Colin Nathan.
Opinions have been expressed about the upcoming fight between Campbell and Liebenberg since it was announced last year. This has not gone down well with one of the two trainers. He forgets that he, too, is airing his opinion when he says his fighter will win.
The truth is that a loss for the 27-year-old Campbell could delay opportunities to embark on the international route that 37-year-old Liebenberg has travelled.
Liebenberg has already won SA, Africa and international titles including the WBC Silver light heavyweight belt which he lost in Monaco in 2017. He is on his way out and he needs to be assisted into retirement before he overstays his welcome in the sport.
Said Nathan: “I have been watching Rowan’s past three fights and there are too many holes in his make-up. He’s shown vulnerability in fights and shown it in the gym as well. I think he’s a good kid, obviously fresh, young and ambitious. I just don’t think it's the right fight for Rowan to take in his career at this point. I am confident that we are going to win.”
Nathan’s opposite number, Smith, said: “We are excited that this fight is finally coming to pass. It will be a good fight for Rowan to see where he stands as a fighter. It’s not gonna be an easy walk. Surely Ryno wants to prove himself locally but there is no way that he will win.”
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