Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Daniel "Billy the Kid" Bruwer is South Africa's most underrated national light heavyweight champion in many years, says boxing analyst Terry Pettifer.
"This is based on the experience I have gleaned from over 30 years of ringside observation," said one of the the most colourful characters to have graced boxing.
Pettifer described Bruwer, 22, from Meyerton in the Vaal, as the girder-tough pugilist who has progressed with sufficient momentum to warrant applause.
"There are still those who doubt his potential. Critics say he takes far too much punishment while others feel that his fundamental outlook towards the sport is too lackadaisical.
"There is merit in both those comments but having admitted as much Bruwer has clobbered a great many fine fighters here, most of whom had far more experience than him.
"Anyone who has been around the local fight scene for a lengthy period of time will know that the late Pierre Fourie is the consensus choice as this land's best ever light heavyweight champion.
"Don't forget that South Africa has produced a truly fine number of national champions, amongst them Mike Holt, Eddie Peirce, Hottie van Heerden, Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga, Joe Maseko, George Hunter, Nick Wolmarans, Piet Crous and the vastly underrated Sarel Aucamp," reasoned Pettifer who is worshiped as the walking boxing encyclopaedia.
He added that while it would be ludicrous to rate the burgeoning Bruwer alongside any of the afore-mentioned fighters at this stage of his career, signs seem to indicate that Bruwer could well become the first light heavyweight from these shores ever to win a world title.
Bruwer stopped vastly experienced campaigner Soon "Bazooka" Botes in the 10th round of their 12-round fight for the national lightweight belt.
Bruwer has defended twice already, stopping both Anthony van Niekerk and Ronnie Lategan in the 12th and sixth rounds, respectively. He has 17 knockouts from 20 wins and a loss to Andre Thysee way back in 2005.
bruwer the most underrated boxer
Bongani Magasela
Bongani Magasela
Daniel "Billy the Kid" Bruwer is South Africa's most underrated national light heavyweight champion in many years, says boxing analyst Terry Pettifer.
"This is based on the experience I have gleaned from over 30 years of ringside observation," said one of the the most colourful characters to have graced boxing.
Pettifer described Bruwer, 22, from Meyerton in the Vaal, as the girder-tough pugilist who has progressed with sufficient momentum to warrant applause.
"There are still those who doubt his potential. Critics say he takes far too much punishment while others feel that his fundamental outlook towards the sport is too lackadaisical.
"There is merit in both those comments but having admitted as much Bruwer has clobbered a great many fine fighters here, most of whom had far more experience than him.
"Anyone who has been around the local fight scene for a lengthy period of time will know that the late Pierre Fourie is the consensus choice as this land's best ever light heavyweight champion.
"Don't forget that South Africa has produced a truly fine number of national champions, amongst them Mike Holt, Eddie Peirce, Hottie van Heerden, Thulani "Sugarboy" Malinga, Joe Maseko, George Hunter, Nick Wolmarans, Piet Crous and the vastly underrated Sarel Aucamp," reasoned Pettifer who is worshiped as the walking boxing encyclopaedia.
He added that while it would be ludicrous to rate the burgeoning Bruwer alongside any of the afore-mentioned fighters at this stage of his career, signs seem to indicate that Bruwer could well become the first light heavyweight from these shores ever to win a world title.
Bruwer stopped vastly experienced campaigner Soon "Bazooka" Botes in the 10th round of their 12-round fight for the national lightweight belt.
Bruwer has defended twice already, stopping both Anthony van Niekerk and Ronnie Lategan in the 12th and sixth rounds, respectively. He has 17 knockouts from 20 wins and a loss to Andre Thysee way back in 2005.
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