South African Boxing Scene - How do you feel about these fighters?

Discussion in 'World Boxing Forum' started by Nonito Smoak, Apr 9, 2013.


  1. Nonito Smoak

    Nonito Smoak Ioka>Lomo, sorry my dudes Full Member

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    South Africa has quite a few solid boxers currently. They seem to either be notably smart or physical in the ring.

    What is your opinion on these fighters? Their resume, current form, or future prospects...

    Moruti Mthalane (29-2, KO 20)
    Currently on a streak of 4 title defenses, all by stoppage, since winning the vacant IBF title from Julio Cesar Miranda. I think he's the top Flyweight in the world and has heavy hands and surprisingly good skills. He stopped Casimero which now looks like a very good win and his last two wins were in his opponents' home country; Andrea Sarritzu, Italy, and Ricardo Nunez, Panama.

    Thomas Oosthuizen (21-0-1, KO 13)
    Pretty fun guy to watch. I don't believe he has much power, but he has a good work rate and he has fought 8 times in the last 2 years, which I love. He's 7-0-1 in fights where the IBO super middleweight title was on the line. I've yet to but am interested in watching his draw with Chilemba from 2010 to see how that went down. I'd honestly like to see some of the popular names at 168 fight Oosthuizen. I think he poses problems for several of them.

    Nkosinathi Joyi (23-1, KO 16)
    I've long appreciated Joyi, but was beyond disappointed and surprised by his stoppage in Mexico against Mario Rodriguez. I felt it was one of the best wins of 2012. He had a tune up in December (I've looked for it but cannot find it). He is scheduled to face fellow South African Hekkie Budler in June, in a fight that I think will get him back towards the top of the minimumweights (well, I mean, he still is toward or at the top, but still...).

    Chris Van Heerden (19-1-1, KO 10)
    25 year old southpaw. Looked good against Matthew Hatton, I watched the fight and he seemed dominant. His last three wins are UD's over faded but name opposition in Kaizer Mabuza, Sebastian Lujan, and Hatton. I'm curious to see where he progresses from here. I think he'd be a solid win for any top 10 guy at welter, personally, even if I wouldn't give him much of a chance against any of them.

    Jeffrey Mathebula (27-4-2, KO 14)
    The 5'11" 122 pounder put up a good fight against Donaire. I didn't hear a peep about it but just a couple weeks ago he finished out his trilogy with Ndlovu by winning a UD (116-112 on all cards). I haven't seen it, but scores indicate it wasn't the dodgy decisions that marred their first two fights (1-1, both SD's). Either way, I'd like to see him against anyone at 122.

    Any opinions on any of these higher profile guys or other South Africans?
     
    Nonito Smoak, Apr 9, 2013
    Nonito Smoak, Apr 9, 2013
    #1
  2. PIPO23

    PIPO23 Loyal Member Full Member

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    African level at best equivalent to Euro level. Nah.. Maruti goes alright. The rest i have no

    idea who they are.
     
    PIPO23, Apr 10, 2013
    PIPO23, Apr 10, 2013
    #2
  3. Redwood

    Redwood Active Member Full Member

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    There seems to be an increased willingness to give South African fighters some big fights against big name opponents. Mathebula I thought acquitted himself fairly well against Donaire, I think I gave him 3 rounds. He has the size, skill, and heart to give anybody at 122 a very tough fight, and hopefully his win in the rubber match vs Ndlovu will get him another opportunity in America.

    With the flyweight division now in transition after the Estrada win vs Viloria, I would like to see Mthalane return to America to put himself in the mix for fights vs some of the other Top 5 caliber fighters.

    One other South African fighter I saw in 2012 was Vusi Malinga, who was the opponent in Leo Santa Cruz's "coming out party" in June; I thought he showed some ability and certainly a willingness to attack to the cost of his defense, but ultimately LSC's incredible output was overwhelming.
     
    Redwood, Apr 10, 2013
    Redwood, Apr 10, 2013
    #3
  4. Cletis VanDamme

    Cletis VanDamme Boxing Addict Full Member

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    You can add Chilemba to that list, although he was born in Malawi.
     
    Cletis VanDamme, Apr 10, 2013
    Cletis VanDamme, Apr 10, 2013
    #4
  5. SugarShane_24

    SugarShane_24 ESB good-looking member Full Member

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    They are good, but much like the Euro's, Japs and Thai's, among others, there is something missing when you never leave the premises of home.

    And South Africa has a touch of home cooking too.
     
    SugarShane_24, Apr 10, 2013
    SugarShane_24, Apr 10, 2013
    #5