AFTER being inactive for a year, Thomas Oosthuizen showed no signs of ring rust on Saturday night at Emperors Palace.
Instead, he confirmed his greatness as a fighter by winning the WBC International light heavyweight belt with ease against Dennis Grachev.
The fight - the main bout of the Golden Gloves' Top Gun bill - was Oosthuizen's only second in the light heavyweight class, having won the IBO Youth strap in his first fight in that weight category in 2009.
Oosthuizen is the former undefeated IBO super middleweight champion, who vacated that belt after seven defences. His last fight was on November 9. Oosthuizen pulverised Grachev, the tough Russian, into submission in the 11th round. Grachev did not come out of his corner for the 12th round - confirming Oosthuizen's 14th stoppage in 23 wins against two draws.
Moments after his win, promoter Rodney Berman announced that the left-hander from Boksburg will battle with Ryno Liebenberg on March 21.
"We have a television date for March 21, these two guys will do battle here at Emperors palace," said Berman.
"Bring it on," said Liebenberg in reference to the showdown with Oosthuizen. "I don't care what will be at stake. It is up to Rodney Berman. I just want to fight and beat Thomas."
Oosthuizen's response was: "He wants it. I want it; let us do it. I don't care who I fight. They'll all fall by the wayside."
Early on Saturday night, Ali Funeka captured the vacant IBO welterweight belt after defeating Russian Roman Balaev via a technical points decision. Their closely contested blood fight was stopped before the start of the 12th round on the advice of doctor Steven Saad, who inspected a big gash above Balaev's right eye.
Meanwhile, Johnny Muller won the eagerly awaited 10-rounder against Kevin Lerena.
In the first fight of the night, Mbulelo Nxazonke defeated highly favoured Thabang Ramagole in the fifth round.
Oosthuizen wins WBC International light heavyweight belt with ease
AFTER being inactive for a year, Thomas Oosthuizen showed no signs of ring rust on Saturday night at Emperors Palace.
Instead, he confirmed his greatness as a fighter by winning the WBC International light heavyweight belt with ease against Dennis Grachev.
The fight - the main bout of the Golden Gloves' Top Gun bill - was Oosthuizen's only second in the light heavyweight class, having won the IBO Youth strap in his first fight in that weight category in 2009.
Oosthuizen is the former undefeated IBO super middleweight champion, who vacated that belt after seven defences. His last fight was on November 9. Oosthuizen pulverised Grachev, the tough Russian, into submission in the 11th round. Grachev did not come out of his corner for the 12th round - confirming Oosthuizen's 14th stoppage in 23 wins against two draws.
Moments after his win, promoter Rodney Berman announced that the left-hander from Boksburg will battle with Ryno Liebenberg on March 21.
"We have a television date for March 21, these two guys will do battle here at Emperors palace," said Berman.
"Bring it on," said Liebenberg in reference to the showdown with Oosthuizen. "I don't care what will be at stake. It is up to Rodney Berman. I just want to fight and beat Thomas."
Oosthuizen's response was: "He wants it. I want it; let us do it. I don't care who I fight. They'll all fall by the wayside."
Early on Saturday night, Ali Funeka captured the vacant IBO welterweight belt after defeating Russian Roman Balaev via a technical points decision. Their closely contested blood fight was stopped before the start of the 12th round on the advice of doctor Steven Saad, who inspected a big gash above Balaev's right eye.
Meanwhile, Johnny Muller won the eagerly awaited 10-rounder against Kevin Lerena.
In the first fight of the night, Mbulelo Nxazonke defeated highly favoured Thabang Ramagole in the fifth round.
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