Hyped fight may be quick - Mohale

Th shootout between Thomas "Tommy Gun" Oosthuizen and Ryno "Lion" Liebenberg has the prospect of being a bloody slugfest, based on the animosity between the two boxers.

They almost exchanged blows during the announcement of their bout two months ago.

But Tshepang Mohale - who has fought both the boxers scheduled to battle for the vacant IBO light-heavyweight belt - warned fight fans not to blink as the bout could be over before it starts.

Mohale said the one who delivers his best punches first will win.

Interestingly, the eagerly awaited fight, which will take place at Emperors Palace on March 14, has been dubbed Stand and Deliver. It will headline Golden Gloves Promotions' first tournament of the year in Gauteng.

"Both Thomas and Ryno can punch," attested Mohale. "I believe that the one who delivers his best shots first will win."

But Mohale, the former SA super-middleweight and light-heavyweight title holder, wants Liebenberg to win.

"He is disciplined and I know that he wants this more than Thomas," he said.

"If they don't knock each other out early, then fans will be in for an interesting fight as they are both durable."

Promoter Rodney Berman hardly needed to hype it.

He is convinced that it will rank among some of the best local clashes he has staged, including the Fire and Ice between Cassius Baloyi and Phillip Ndou.