Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Golden Gloves promoter Rodney Berman must deliver on his promise that the winner between IBF and IBO junior lightweight champion Gairy St Clair and Malcolm Klassen last Saturday night will defend against Cassius Baloyi.

This demand was made by Baloyi's trainer, Nick Durandt.

"I am holding Berman to his promise. He must put his money where his mouth is," said Durandt. "If he fails Baloyi, who has been loyal to him for 14 years, he [Baloyi] will never ever lace up boxing gloves for Golden Gloves again."

Klassen outclassed St Clair at Emperors Palace last weekend. The deposed former world champion ended Baloyi's reign on July 29. St Clair's IBO belt was not at stake against Klassen but the former champ will forfeit it.

Terry Petiffer, Golden Gloves' publicist, announced last Sunday morning that Berman will look at big offers from television network HBO in the US for Klassen's fights.

Durandt said Klassen will not get big fights on giant networks because he "is an unknown commodity in the world".

He paid tribute to Klassen for a great victory against St Clair but challenged the newly crowned IBF champion to show his mettle by meeting Baloyi.

"He publicly challenged Baloyi before being brought on as a replacement for Baloyi against St Clair," said Durandt. "His trainer, Manny Fernandez, is not doing too well against my champions and I am quite happy to help him vacate the IBF title to us as well."

A source revealed that Mzonke Fana and Carlos Hernandez, who are ranked third and fifth, respectively, have been mandated to fight for the number one spot in Johannesburg soon, and Klassen will defend against the winner within 90 days.