Deon Potgieter boxing
Jackie “Pressure Cooker” Gunguluza could be facing his Waterloo at the Graceland hotel in Secunda on Sunday.
The veteran fighter will be attempting to win the national featherweight title a historic fourth time. At 35 this may be his last shot at the big time, and big time it will be. Not only will he be contesting the national featherweight title, but also the World Boxing Council (WBC) International and the All Africa titles. This is the first time that these three titles will all be on the line in a single contest.
The All Africa title is currently held by Anthony “Blue Jaguar” Tshela, while the other two titles are vacant. Promoter Branco Milenkovic, also coincidentally 35, has assured the winner of the bout a top 10 ranking with the WBC.
“Although you can never underestimate a fighter of Jackie’s calibre, I can’t see Anthony losing,” says Milenkovic. Tshela certainly is a hot prospect for international honours, but when it comes to experience he’s a baby compared to Gunguluza.
Depending on the veteran’s desire to earn a few big paydays before hanging up his gloves, Tshela could be in for a lesson or two.
Tshela enters the ring with 12 wins, a draw and six knockouts while the “Pressure Cooker” boasts a record of 38 wins, six losses and 18 knockouts.
Another veteran who’ll be in action this weekend is Evander Holyfield. The legendary fighter makes the first defence of his World Boxing Association (WBA) heavyweight title on Saturday night in Mandalay Bay Events Centre, Las Vegas.
The only man to win the heavyweight world title four times, the 38-year-old champion is adamant that he has found a new lease on life. After numerous visits to doctors, Holyfield believes his lacklustre performances of late were due to a chemical imbalance in his body. Now, with a new improved diet and exercise regime, he says he feels young and vibrant and is intent on knocking out challenger John Ruiz.
Ruiz lost a close points decision to Holyfield last year for the vacant WBA title. This was after Lennox Lewis was stripped of the title under controversial circumstances. Ruiz aims to become the first Hispanic fighter to win the heavyweight world title but, in reality, if Holyfield is even 75% of what he was, Ruiz will be lying on the canvas in five rounds.
In the run-up to this bout Holyfield criticised Lewis for accepting the bout in South Africa next month against Hassim Rahman rather than defending against Mike Tyson. “Real champions don’t run away,” said Holyfield, who had two fights against Iron Mike.