If memory serves me correctly, when he was fighting here he was creating quiite a buzz, especially since SA doesn't produce many black heavyweights. He left for the States quite soon after turning pro, so unfortunately I missed a good portion of his career. I saw about 3 of his fights, and what I noticed is that he went to the body a lot, which is a good sign for a budding young pro. It's a little sad that he didn't do better. It just goes to show how important the mental side of the game is.
Correct. He had that great amatuer record and was a big prospect turning pro. Nick Durant signed him up & then Duva got ahold of him for the U.S. > about 8 fights. I'd like to know about that deal, but don't. Duva at the time had other prospects in Tua & Golata. Tshabalala was working with Tommy Brooks, so the guy had pedigree and a good corner and manager. He got those ko's on those heavyweight explosion cards and was more like 15-0 when he lost. He had a major league left hook but his balance/footwork/defense was what needed the help. It only takes 1 punch to change a lot of things w/ heavyweights & lots of times these guys just don't overcome a bad ko loss. Apparently the guy suffered from asthma, much like Briggs. That maskaev bout was a good one & Oleg sufferred broken ribs in the 2nd round but went on to win the bout in the 9th.
Really fun guy to watch, but basically a 3-4 round fighter. Actually made the young Foreman mistake of throwing way too many hard and fast punches early, not pacing himself at all. His style was knock you out quick or gas out and fall to pieces. Agree that the Darroll Wilson fight was really fun to watch. He and Tommy Morrison would have been fun.
Wish somebody would post a fight of his on youtube. I have heard so much about him, yet have never seen a fight of his.
Most of Courages fights from his early career were just a blurgghhhh of Ko after quick Ko..after quick KO.. i would love to have seen him at the time face an unbeaten puncher like Hide who was on fire back then....
I told you those bodyshots was friggin' unbelievable. Must of been why Maskaev looked to be in so much pain on his stool.
Well, there is "Quitali Quitschko", who having earnt that nickname against Byrd went on to give one of the gutsiest performances of recent heavyweight history against Lewis.
I seem to remember his loss to Robert Hawkins (or was it Robert Wiggings?) being a real learning fight for me, in that it was an example of what a "dangerous journeyman" could do in terms of exposing the weaknesses of a prospect.
i saw a few of his fights,the brian scott loss was a shocker as big brian wasnt really all that good. also saw courage blow away a few cans,one fight with a guy named stan hughey lasted 18 seconds....also saw the fight against former MW lenzie morgan,a fight courage was lucky to win imo..