Kevin Lerena is expected back in the ring only in February after major injury on his right shoulder last week.

What was expected to be a routine operation following an arthroscopy worsened when a body camera revealed tears in Lerena’s labrum and rotator cuff, requiring major surgery.

“I was fighting pain for a long time,” said Lerena on Friday.

His recovery will require six weeks in a sling, followed by a further six weeks of physiotherapy. He says that at a push he could probably fight by the end of December, but a more likely scenario is February.

Promoter Rodney Berman was rocked by the news and only realised the seriousness after talking to Lerena’s surgeon.

“None of us was fully aware of the pain he has been fighting under,” said Berman. “It puts his excellent recent performances into perspective. How would he have done if 100 percent fit? He can recover now and we can look forward to an excellent new year when hopefully he won’t be restricted at all.”

Lerena packed in three tough title fights in the past nine months, so is probably due a rest anyway. Given how he loves to train and box, he ought to be busting at the leash come February; not altogether a bad thing for a fighter on the up.

DeeJay Kriel and former two-weight world champion Jessie Vargas pictured in Las Vegas earlier this year.

DeeJay Kriel is moving to Las Vegas at the end of the month and throwing his lot in with the US boxing scene.

The WBC International minimumweight champion will join veteran trainer Kenny Adams and use America as a base to position himself.

Having built up a steady following in SA, the popular Kriel (14-1-1) believes that he’s young enough – and good enough – to have a crack in the major American market, following in the footsteps of South Africans like Gary Ballard, Fransie Botha and Chris van Heerden.

The 23-year-old visited Las Vegas several month ago, prompting him to make the move.

“Why not move out here?” Adams asked him. “We’ll get you fights.”

Kriel accepts that lighter weight fighters have limited currency in the US, so the plan is to travel from the US to Asia for action in the hopes of landing a major title shot.

“I don’t expect fights in America, but it’s also not impossible to move and go on to great things. Look at Pacman; it can be done,” he said.

DeeJay Kriel with former WBA super-bantamweight champion Bones Adams.

Kriel hopes to mitigate against homesickness by embracing the ideal that his move will ultimately benefit his family. But, he will also frequently travel to SA and will have his girlfriend alongside to ensure he’s as comfortable as possible.

Fortunately, his sponsors are sticking with him and will help with month-to-month costs as he follows his dream.

Kriel is thrilled at the possibilities of working with Adams, one of the most celebrated trainers in the sport. Adams trained the SA pair of Jan Bergman and Welcome Ncita and a host of A-listers like Kennedy McKinney, Jorge Linares, Michael Nunn and Diego Corrales. More recently, he’s worked with Jessie Vargas.

Ranked in the top 10 of both the WBC and IBF, Kriel concedes that he will give up some of the best sparring available, having spent recent years with Moruti Mthalane, Hekkie Budler and Simpiwe Konkco as stablemates at HotBox.

“Sparring with Moruti was an honour and now he’s world champion . . . wow! Sparring with him, Simpiwe and Hekkie brought my career to a new level. I’ll forever be grateful.”

Willie Smith, SA’s first claimant to a world boxing title.

Ron Jackson

The first South African to be recognised as a claimant to a world title was Willie Smith who outpointed England’s Teddy Baldock – “The Pride of the Poplar” – over 15 rounds at the Royal Albert Hall in London on October 6, 1927.

The title was vacant at the time after Charley Phil Rosenberg, who held the New York State Athletic Commission version of the title, had relinquished it in February 1927.

On May 23, 1928 Bushy Graham would claim the vacant NYSAC title after outpointing Corporal Izzy Schwartz.

In view of the fragmented world titles around today, Herbert G Goldman, editor of The Ring Record Book and Boxing Encylopaedia, felt that Willie Smith had to be recognised as a world champion.

Since Smith’s claim to a world title 81 South Africans have won one or other version of the alphabet world titles around today.

South Africa’s first and only real world champion was Vic Toweel who on May 31, 1950 made history to become the first and only South African to date to win a universally recognised world title.

Vic Toweel.

At the time when Toweel won the world title there were only eight divisions and eighty fighters rated as contenders.

Today there are 17 divisions recognised by the various boxing organisations as listed below

(The United Kingdom works in stone which is 14 lbs).

The other South Africans who have won versions of world titles since Smith and Toweel are listed below:

Arnold Taylor: Won title, November 3, 1973 (bantamweight-WBA)

Peter Mathebula: Won title, December 13, 1980 (flyweight-WBA)

Gerrie Coetzee: Won title, September 23, 1983 (heavyweight-WBA)

Piet Crous: Won title, December 1, 1984 (junior heavyweight-WBA)

Brian Mitchell: Won title, September 27, 1986 (junior lightweight-WBA)

Welcome Ncita: Won title, March 10, 1990 (junior featherweight-IBF)

Dingaan Thobela: Won title,September 22, 1990 (lightweight-WBO)

Brian Mitchell: Won title, September 13, 1991 (junior lightweight-IBF- 2^nd title)

Ditau Molefyane: Won title, March 19, 1993 (junior lightweight-WBF)

Jacob Matlala: Won title, May 15, 1993 (flyweight-WBO)

Dingaan Thobela: Won title, June 26, 1993 (lightweight-WBA-2^nd title)

Vuyani Bungu.

Vuyani Bungu: Won title,  August 20, 1994 (junior featherweight-IBF)

Mbulelo Botile: Won title, April 29, 1995 (bantamweight-IBF)

Phillip Holiday: Won title, August 19, 1995 (lightweight-IBF)

Gary Murray: Won title, August 26, 1995 (welterweight-WBU)

Jacob Matlala: Won title, November 18, 1995 (junior flyweight-WBO- 2^nd title)

November Ntshingila: Won title, November 27, 1995 (featherweight-IBC)

Francois Botha: Won title, December 9, 1995 (heavyweight-IBF)

Thulani Sugarboy Malinga: Won title, March 2, 1996 (super middleweight-WBC)

Sakhumzi Magxwalisa: Won title, June 15, 1996 (super flyweight-WBU)

Mzukisi Sikali(aka Skali): Won title, November 8, 1996 (junior flyweight-WBU)

Cassius Baloyi.

Cassius Baloyi: Won title, November 15, 1996 (junior featherweight-WBU)

Lehlohonolo Ledwaba: Won title, November 17, 1996 (bantamweight-WBU)

Jacob Matlala: Won title, July 18, 1997 (junior flyweight-IBA-3^rd title)

Peter Malinga: Won title, July 30, 1997 (welterweight-WBU)

Patrick Quka: Won title, August 2, 1997 (bantamweight-WBU)

Corrie Sanders: Won title, November 15, 1997 (heavyweight-WBU)

Thulani Sugarboy Malinga: Won title, December 19, 1997 (super middleweight-WBC-2^nd title)

Zolani Petelo: Won title, December 27, 1997 (mini flyweight-IBF)

Cassius Baloyi: Won title, April 24, 1998 (featherweight-WBU-2^nd title)

Thulani Sugarboy Malinga: Won title, June 5, 1998 (super middleweight-WBF-3^rd title)

Mzukisi Sikali(aka.Skali): Won title, August 1, 1998 (junior bantamweight-WBU-2^nd title)

Simon Ramoni: Won title, August 8, 1998 (super bantamweight-IBO)

Mpush Makambi: Won title, September 8, 1998 (middleweight-IBO)

Jacob Mofokeng: Won title, September 12, 1998 (cruiserweight-WBU)

Lindi Memani: Won title, September 12, 1998 (strawweight-WBU)

Masibulela Makepula: Won title, September 22, 1998 (junior flyweight-WBU)

Lehlohonolo Ledwaba: Won title, May 29, 1999 (junior featherweight-IBF-2^nd title)

Sebastiaan Rothmann: Won title, September 24, 1999 (cruiserweight-WBU)

Wele Maqolo: Won title, September 25, 1999 (mini flyweight-WBF)

Zolile Mbityi: Won title, October 22, 1999 (flyweight-IBO)

Peter Malinga: Won title, October 22, 1999 (welterweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Masibulela Makepula: Won title, February 19, 2000 (junior flyweight-WBO-2^nd title)

Mike Barnardo:Won title, May 14, 2000 (heavyweight-WBF)

Dingaan Thobela:Won title, September 1, 2000 (super middleweight-WBC-3^rd title)

Mbulelo Botile:Won title, December 16, 2000 (featherweight-IBF & IBO-2^nd and 3rd title)

Jacob Matlala:Won title, February 17, 2001 (flyweight-WBU-4^th title)

Jan Bergman: Won title, June 2, 2001 (welterweight-WBU)

Virgil Kalakoda: Won title, June 8, 2001 (junior middleweight-IBC)

Phillip Ndou: Won title, July 25, 2001 (junior lightweight-WBU)

Masibulela Makepula: Won title, January 26, 2002 (flyweight-IBO-3^rd title)

Silence Mabuza:Won title, March 2, 2002 (bantamweight-IBO)

Mhikiza Myekeni:Won title, April 17, 2002 (junior flyweight-IBO)

Cassius Baloyi: Won title, April 17, 2002 (junior lightweight-IBO-3^rd title)

Ruben Groenewald: Won title, June 1, 2002 (middleweight-WBU)

Gabula Vabaza: Won title, July 26, 2002 (super flyweight-WBU)

Lehlohonolo Ledwaba: Won title, July 27, 2002 (featherweight-WBU–3^rd title)

Mzukisi Sikali: Won title, September 14, 2002 (flyweight-IBO–3^rd title)

Sebastiaan Rothmann:Won title, October 26, 2002 (cruiserweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Lunga Ntontela:Won title, December 13, 2002 (super flyweight-IBO)

Corrie Sanders: Won title, March 8, 2003 (heavyweight-WBO-2^nd title)

Zolani Marali: Won title, July 11, 2003 (junior featherweight-IBO)

Samuel Malinga: Won title, July 26, 2003 (junior welterweight-World Boxing Foundation)

Vuyani Bungu:Won title, February 7, 2004 (featherweight-IBO–2^nd title)

Thomas Mashaba: Won title, May 22, 2004 (junior featherweight-IBO)

Thomas Mashaba: Won title, June 25, 2005 (featherweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Isaac Hlatshwayo: Won title, August 31, 2005 (lightweight-IBO)

Takalani Ndlovu: Won title, November 4, 2005 (junior featherweight-IBO)

Cassius Baloyi: Won title, May 31, 2006 (junior lightweight-IBF-4^th title)

Zolani Marali: Won title, September 8, 2006 (junior featherweight-WB Foundation–2^nd title)

Nkosinathi Joyi: Won title, November 3, 2006 (strawweight-IBO)

Malcolm Klassen: Won title, November 4, 2006 (junior lightweight-IBF)

Simphiwe Nongqayi: Won title, December 15, 2006 (junior bantamweight-WB Foundation)

Cassius Baloyi: Won title, February 3, 2007 (junior lightweight-IBO–5^th title)

Lovemore Ndou: Awarded the IBF junior welterweight title when Ricky Hatton relinquished the title, February 13, 2007 (junior welterweight-IBF)

Mlungisi Dlamini: Won title, March 9, 2007 (lightweight-WB Foundation)

Mzonke Fana: Won title, April 20, 2007 (junior lightweight-IBF)

Isaac Hlatshwayo: Won title, May 12, 2007 (welterweight-IBO–2^nd title)

Silence Mabuza: Won title, May 12, 2007 (bantamweight-IBO–2^nd title.

Muvhuso Nedzanani: Won title, June 1, 2007 (junior flyweight-WB Foundation)

Zolani Tete: Won title, September 23, 2007 (flyweight-WB Foundation)

Zolani Marali: Won title, November 2, 2007 (junior lightweight-WB Foundation–3^rd title)

Oscar Chauke: Won title, November 23, 2007 (junior featherweight-WB Foundation)

William Gare: Won title, February 23, 2008 (super middleweight-WB Foundation)

Cassius Baloyi: Won title, April 12, 2008 (junior lightweight-IBF–6^th title)

Zolile Mbityi: Won title, May 31, 2008 (super flyweight-IBO–2^nd title)

Ludumo Galada: Won title, August 22, 2008 (featherweight-WB Foundation)

Bongani Mwelase: Won title, October 10, 2008 (welterweight-WB Foundation)

Lubabalo Msuthu: Won title, November 22, 2008 (bantamweight-WB Foundation)

Francois Botha: Won title, February 6, 2009 (heavyweight-WB Foundation-2^nd title)

Takalani Ndlovu: Won title, March 20, 2009 (featherweight-WB Foundation–2^nd title)

Zolani Marali:Won title, April 2, 2009 (junior lightweight-IBO–4^th title)

Malcolm Klassen: Won title, April 18, 2009 (junior lightweight-IBF–2^nd title)

Simphiwe Vetyeka: Won title, July 11, 2009 (bantamweight-IBO)

Lovemore Ndou: Won title, July 11, 2009 (welterweight-IBO–2^nd title)

Isaac Hlatshwayo: Won title, August 1, 2009 (welterweight-IBF–3^rd title)

Bongani Mwelase: Won title, August 7, 2009 (junior middleweight-WBF–2^nd title)

Simphiwe Nongqayi: Won title, September 15, 2009 (junior bantamweight-IBF–2^nd title)

Mlungisi Dlamini: Won title, October 31, 2009 (lightweight-IBO–2^nd title)

Moruti Mthalane: Won title, November 20, 2009 (flyweight-IBF)

Simpiwe Konkco and Hekkie Budler.

Hekkie Budler: Won title, February 27 ,2010 (junior flyweight-IBO)

Nkosinathi Joyi: Won title, March 26, 2010 (mini flyweight-IBF–2^nd title)

Gideon Buthelezi: Won title, June 19, 2010 (strawweight-IBO)

Mzonke Fana: Won title, September 1, 2010 (junior lightweight-IBF–2^nd title)

Gideon Buthelezi: Won title, January 27, 2011 (junior flyweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Tshifhiwa Munyai: Won title, March 26, 2011 (junior featherweight-IBO)

Thomas Oosthuizen: Won title, March 26, 2011 (super middleweight-IBO)

Takalani Ndlovu:Won title, March 26, 2011 (junior featherweight-IBF-3^rd title)

Hekkie Budler: Won title, September 24, 2011 (strawweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Chris van Heerden: Won title, September 24, 2011 (welterweight-IBO)

Ali Funeka:Won title, November 19, 2011 (junior welterweight-WBF)

Malcolm Klassen: Won title, November 19, 2011 (junior lightweight-WBF-3^rd title)

Kaizer Mabuza: Won title, March 3, 2012 (junior welterweight-IBO)

Jeffrey Mathebula: Won title, March 24, 2012 (junior featherweight-IBF)

Lovemore Ndou: Won title, August 10, 2012 (welterweight-WB Foundation-3^rd title)

Gideon Buthelezi: Won title, November 10, 2012 (junior bantamweight-IBO-3^rd title)

Zolani Marali: Won title, December 8, 2012 (junior welterweight-WB Federation-5^th title)

Simphiwe Vetyeka: Won title, April 14, 2013 (featherweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Thabo Sonjica: Won title, July 6, 2013 (junior featherweight-IBO)

Danie Venter: Won title, September 20, 2013 (cruiserweight-WBF)

Simphiwe Vetyeka: Won title, December 6, 2013 (featherweight-WBA–3rd title.

Hekkie Budler: Elevated to WBA champion, January 8, 2014 (minimumweight-WBA–3^nd title)

Moruti Mthalane: Won title, March 15, 2014 (flyweight-IBO–2^nd title)

Lwandile Sityatha: Won title, May 31, 2014 (super flyweight-WBF)

Zolani Tete: Won title, July 18, 2014 (junior bantamweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Luyanda Nkwankwa: Won title, July 18, 2014 (mimimumweight-WBF)

Lusanda Komanisi: Won title, July 18, 2014 (featherweight-IBO)

Lwandile Sityatha: Won title, July 18, 2014 (super flyweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Ali Funeka: Won title, November 15, 2014 (welterweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Tommy Oosthuizen: Won title, March 14, 2015 (light heavyweight-IBO-2^nd title)

Tsiko Mulovhedzi: Won title, July 24, 2015 (welterweight-IBO)

Xolisani Ndongeni: Won title, November 28, 2015 (lightweight-IBO)

Gideon Buthelezi: Won title, December 18, 2015 (junior bantamweight-IBO-4^th title)

Hekkie Budler: Won title, January 20, 2016 (Elevated to WBA “super” minimumweight title-4^th title)

Simpiwe Konkco: Won title, June 11, 2016 (minimumweight-IBO)

Malcolm Klassen: Won title, August 5, 2016 (junior lightweight-IBO–4^th title)

Hekkie Budler: Won title February 4, 2017 (light flyweight-IBO-5^th title)

Mzuvukile Magwaca: Won title March 31, 2017 (bantamweight-WBF).

Zolani Tete: Won title, April 22, 2017 (interim bantamweight-WBO-3^nd title- elevated to full champion April 26, 2017)

Kevin Lerena: Won title, September 9, 2017 (cruiserweight-IBO)

Xolisana Ndongeni: Won title April 6, 2018 (lightweight-WBF-2^nd title)

Hekkie Budler:W on title, May 20, 2018 (WBA/IBF/Ring magazine light flyweight titles – 6^th/7^th/8th)

Thulani Mbenge: Won title, Jun 23, 2018 (welterweight – IBO)

Moruti Mthalane: Won title, July 15, 2018 (flyweight – IBF 3^rd title)

Some South African champions have won more than one title from the numerous world boxing organisation titles up for grabs.

Only two South Africans, Vic Toweel and Hekkie Budler, have been awarded Ring magazine belts. The Ring magazine belts have not been included in the number of titles won.

Since Willie Smith claimed the world bantamweight title in 1927, South African fighters have taken part in 569 fights for one or other organisation world belt.

Number of world champions: 82
Number of titles: 148
British Version: 1
Universal: 1
IBA:  1
World Boxing Foundation: 15
IBC:  2
WBC:  3
WBF: 13
WBO:  6
WBA: 10
IBF: 25
IBO: 51
WBU: 20

Simpiwe Konkco, right, defends his IBO championship this weekend. Pic: N-SQUARED

Mthatha in the Eastern Cape will host its first world championship boxing fight when local hero Simpiwe Konkco returns to his hometown on Sunday to defend his IBO mini-flyweight championship against Toto Landero of the Philippines.

The eight-bout tournament will be broadcast live on SuperSport 12 from 2pm.

Konkco last fought in Mthatha five years ago, but that was in defence of his SA title. Since then he has gone on to better things, having annexed the IBO belt against Siyabonga Siyo two years ago.

The Landero fight will be his third title defence and potentially his toughest. The Filipino is young and fast and showed in his recent WBA title fight against Thammanoon Niyomtrong that he stands his ground and can fight on even terms with elite fighters.

Indeed, one of his wins came against Vic Saludar, who the past weekend won the WBO championship.

Apart from the pressure of winning in his hometown, Konkco’s friendly rivalry with stablemates Moruti Mthalane and Hekkie Budler will also come into play. Mthalane won the IBF flyweight title at the weekend and Budler owns the WBA and IBF mini-flyweight belts. Both boxers help him with sparring and neither will be impressed if he lets down their Johannesburg gym.

Despite being 32, Konkco is still relatively fresh, having had just 23 pro bouts in the past 11 years. He’s always in the gym, his relentless style and strength making him a formidable opponent. Since moving to Johannesburg three years ago, he’s tightened up his defence and learned how to impose himself, qualities he’ll need if he is to see off Landero in what has the makings of an entertaining fight.

On the undercard, exciting Makazole Tete, the brother of WBO champion Zolani, will challenge for the vacant IBO International bantamweight belt against Jonas Matheus of Namibia.

There’s also a fight for the women’s vacant IBO Intercontinental super-flyweight title between Eastern Cape rivals Sharadene Fortuin and Asandiswa Nxokwana.

Simpiwe Konkco celebrates with trainer Colin Nathan and a pair of fans after successfully defending his title on Sunday.

South African boxing’s purple patch continued on Sunday as Simpiwe Konkco made a successful third defence of his IBO mini-flyweight championship against determined Toto Landero of the Philippines.

Fighting in his Mthatha hometown, Konkco delivered an emphatic performance to earn a unanimous points win – 117-112, 116-112, 116-112.

The entertaining, all-action bout was fought at a furious pace from the first round with Konkco’s calm, measured style pitched against Landero’s wild, unorthodox attack.

The nature of Landero’s approach meant that he enjoyed some success, not least when he launched right hands over the top, but he neglected the jab and fought only in spurts. The champion, in turn, worked from behind a disciplined left jab and did good work on the inside as he sought to slow the Filipino down.

The pair traded toe to toe through the middle rounds with neither able to really hurt the other, preferring to put in work that would impress the judges. Ultimately, it was Konkco’s greater accuracy and work in the early rounds that allowed him to take his foot off the pedal in the later rounds.

Konkco wasn’t troubled as Landero earned some success with the right hand, his own attack proving sufficient against a man who deserves credit for getting stuck in and never giving up.

Simpiwe Konkco outworks Toto Landero.

With the boisterous crowd roaring him on in song in the 11^th round, Konkco kept things tidy, fighting at distance and not giving Landero any meaningful look-in.

It was enough for him, but not for trainer Colin Nathan, who barked at him, “Let your hands go! Let your hands go!”

He needn’t have worried. Konkco’s output was fine and when the 12 rounds were over, there were few doubts that one of SA’s most unheralded fighters had done the business, again.

Venerable SA boxing writer and historian Ron Jackson will be honoured at the “Reach for the Stars” fight night at Emperors Palace on August 10. Having attended his first fight almost 70 years ago, Jackson is well placed to recall past greats and talk about the state of boxing.

 How old were you when you attended your first boxing event in SA?
I was 13-years-old. On September 23, 1949 at the Pam Brink Stadium in Springs – George Hunter beat Freddie Vorster to retain the SA light-heavyweight title.

You’re now aged 81 – how many fights do you reckon you’ve watched live?
I will be 82 on August 20. It could be between 2000 to 3000 as at one time I attended every tournament possible and saw 200 fights in a year.

Do you have an all-time favourite SA boxer?
How about four? Mike Holt, Andries Steyn, Brian Mitchell and Vuyani Bungu.

What about internationally?
Sugar Ray Robinson and Joe Louis.

Which fight is the best you ever saw live?
November 3, 1973 – Arnold Taylor won KO 14 against Romeo Anaya for the WBA bantamweight title and May 22, 1976 when Victor Galindez won via KO 15 against Richie Kates, retaining the WBA light-heavyweight title.

You’re a man who loves history. If you could have attended any old-time fight, which would it have been?
October 16, 1909 – when Jack Johnson won via 12^th round KO against Stanley Ketchell to retain the world heavyweight title.

Which local boxer have you been most disappointed with?
Benny Nieuwenhuizen, a one-time SA welterweight champion who had all the talent and could have achieved far more.

Which old-time SA boxer do you believe would have been a superstar today?
Johnny Ralph had everything going for him and he had charisma.

What do you make of the proliferation of titles and organisations?
The multiple organisations have detracted from world championship boxing and very seldom do you have an undisputed world champion. The average fan has lost interest in boxing due to the proliferation of so-called world titles

Who is SA boxing’s current pound-for-pound king?
Without a doubt, Zolani Tete.

You are a boxing historian and you collect boxing books. If you were packing for a desert island, which three would you take along?
The Fighters by Chris Greyvenstein, The Untold Story of Joe Louis and Jesse Owens by Donald McRae, A tribute to Muhammad Ali – Greatest of all time by Benedict Taschen.

If you could invite any three people to dinner, who would they be and why?
Don King, Rodney Berman and Sugar Ray Leonard.

Any final thoughts?
I have had a wonderful journey with boxing since 1949 and writing about the sport for more than 35 years and watching some outstanding fights live and on television. Plus meeting some great fighters and people in boxing and also dragging my wife through cemeteries and libraries making a study of bare-knuckle fighting in England and rummaging through bookshops for new and old books all over the world.

Thanks for your time, and congratulations on a great life in boxing.

Unification fights in boxing are rare occurrences. Rarer still is when both boxers are undefeated and near their peak.

This weekend, rival champions Mikey Garcia and Robert Easter jnr will clash in Los Angeles for the IBF and WBC lightweight titles with the action to be broadcast live on SuperSport 6 from 4am on Sunday.

Garcia is boxing royalty: along with Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, he’s one of only three modern era fighters to win titles at featherweight, junior lightweight, lightweight and junior-welterweight. Garcia is a boxer-puncher who is smart and adapts easily. He’s a first-rate technician who has drawn comparisons with Alexis Arguello.

Easter, in turn, will have significant advantages in height and reach. He likes to attack the body and mixes up heavy punching – he has a deadly right hand – with smooth boxing. He will need every bit of ring smarts to outbox Garcia, who sets traps better than most.

“I’m not overlooking Robert Easter at all,” says Garcia. “I’m expecting the best Easter ever against me. He’s a terrific fighter. I’m glad to hear he’s training extra hard. It shows me that he’s motivated and hungry to show off his very best, just like I am.”

Already one of the most accomplished active fighters in the business, Garcia has a chance to burnish his reputation as one of the pound-for-pound best. Not that he cares.

“I don’t really pay attention to pound-for-pound rankings. What matters to me most is what the fans think of me and whether they give me that admiration and respect.

“I’m in the best shape physically and mentally that I’ve ever been in. I need to take advantage of the moment and take on the biggest challenges. I want to make the kind of fights everyone remembers.”

Easter predicts that he and Garcia could produce the best fight of the year.

“Garcia is a fundamentally sound guy, a skilful guy. Myself, I bring excitement to the game. People know I fight, I come to fight. Those styles clashing is going to bring a lot of excitement ahead. This is going to be one of those fights people will watch and vote for Fight of the Year,” said Easter.

“I’m definitely going to use the size advantage. In the last few fights I’ve been focusing a lot on my height and so we’re going to just work on boxing in this camp. None of his opponents has my style and the level of competition isn’t the same as well.”

Closer to home, IBO super-flyweight champion Gideon Buthelezi will make the fourth defence of his belt against Lucas Emanuel Fernandez Leone of Argentina in East London on Friday.

The action will be broadcast live on SS9 from 8pm.

Former South African welterweight and junior-middleweight champion Gert Steyn passed away after a heart attack at his home in Krugersdorp on Thursday night. He was 67.

Steyn was still a young boy when he followed his brothers, Stoffel, Japie and Andries, to the North Park Amateur Club in Parktown North, Johannesburg. Their father, Andries Sr, was the club’s trainer.

As an amateur, Gert won numerous championships, including Southern Transvaal, Transvaal and SA Defence, SA Navy and Western Province titles, and according to reports lost only six of 85 fights as an amateur.

He joined the professional ranks on December 29, 1970 and knocked out Alfie Pitout in the first round in Durban.

Steyn won the South African welterweight title in Johannesburg on October 30, 1971 when he outpointed Spider Kelly in a rematch after losing to Kelly for the SA title seven months earlier in only his third fight.

He made two successful defences of the title before moving up to the junior-middleweight division to claim the South African title with a points victory over Gert Craemer on August 23, 1975.

Ten months later, on February 28, 1977, he won the vacant SA Supreme junior-middleweight title when he stopped Gordon Goba in the eleventh round.

He lost the title on a controversial stoppage against Bushy Bester but regained the title nine months later.

In his last fight on May 23, 1980 he retained the title with a points victory over Morris “Yankee” Mohloai to finish with a record of 32-8-2 (15 KOs).

The saddest moment in his career came when he was on the brink of becoming South Africa’s fourth world champion.

He was scheduled to fight Eddie Gazo from Nicaragua for the WBA junior-middleweight title at the Westridge Tennis Stadium in Durban on February 9, 1978.

But three days before the fight Gazo pulled out. His handlers said he had a fractured hand.  However, stories were doing the rounds that he had watched videos of Steyn’s fights and was looking for ways to get out of the title defence.

Born Gerhardus Johannes Hendrik Steyn in Johannesburg on February 12 1951, he worked for a building society after his two years of compulsory military training.

After retiring from the ring, he went into the business of vehicle sales.

Gert also worked as a boxing commentator on Supersport for many years, in tandem with his brother Andries. – Ron Jackson

Boxing gold – for one very lucky bidder.

Oleksandr Usyk is the hottest fighter in the world after his World Boxing Super Series cruiserweight triumph.

Now, one lucky fan stands a chance to secure a pair of gloves signed by the pound-for-pound superstar, plus middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin and heavyweight king Anthony Joshua, arguably the three most sensational talents in boxing.

The gloves arrived in pristine condition at the Golden Gloves offices last week.

As per tradition, Golden Gloves will also use the upcoming “Reach for the Stars” tournament – at Emperors Palace next Friday – as a fundraiser, in this instance supporting the laudable Reach for a Dream project, which encourages children to use their dreams to fight life-threatening illnesses.

The gloves will be up for auction, as will a pair that have been autographed by the Klitschko brothers and former WBO champion the late Corrie Sanders, who sensationally knocked Wladimir Klitschko out 15 years ago.

Signed gloves by Hall of Famer Brian Mitchell and IBO cruiserweight champion Kevin Lerena will also be in the offing.

The bar has been set high: Golden Gloves has made an opening bid on the Joshua, GGG and Usyk glove of R25 000 and R15 000 on the Klitschko, Sanders glove.

The tournament will also serve to honour veteran boxing writer and historian Ron Jackson, who has been ringside since the 1940s and does tremendous work publicising domestic boxing.

Keaton Gomes – good to go. Pic: N-SQUARED

Keaton Gomes, who has been in training camp practically since the day he arrived in Joburg over four months ago, can’t wait to make his professional debut next Friday.

The bruising cruiserweight fights Moses Bila in a four-rounder on the “Reach for the Stars” fight card designed to showcase South Africa’s best emerging talent.

“It’s been long and hard,” said the Durbanite. “I train and go home, train and go home, little else. I’m very focused on the boxing.”

Nerves aren’t playing their usual part in the build-up, but rather a keenness to fight. Gomes is walking around at 92kg and feeling strong. His only concern is to not let anyone down, especially with peoples’ expectations weighing on him.

“People like uncle Rodney [Berman] and uncle Jeff [Ellis] and coach Peter [Smith] . . . they’ve shown lots of faith in me. And there will be plenty of people travelling up from Durban. I must perform.”

Gomes doesn’t talk about his power, notwithstanding others saying he has heavy hands, but he agrees that it’s useless getting knockouts if he forgets the fundamentals.

“Coach Peter has been teaching me insane levels of skill. It’s no good if I don’t take those lessons into the ring. We’ve developed a game plan and I must follow it. If a KO comes, so be it.”

He’s had good sparring with Michael Markram and Rowan Campbell, who heads the bill against Renson Hobyani for the SA super-middleweight title.

Luckily, life in Joburg is agreeing with him. He likes that he can pursue his career without distractions, dedicating as much time as required to becoming a pro fighter.

Next week will represent a small but important step in his journey. He must make that first step a winning one.

Best boxing birthday wishes to top trainer Sean Smith, who churns out the champions.

The work he has done with IBO welterweight champion Thulani Mbenge is remarkable and there are more champions waiting in the wings thanks to his work ethic and keen insight into the fight game.

Bravo!

Lusanda Komanisi versus Xolisani “Nomeva” Ndongeni.

It may be a phantom fight for now, but it could become reality if Komanisi is successful in his Golden Gloves debut next month.

After a year out of the ring, the former IBO featherweight champion will make his return at Emperors Palace on September 1. There will be no easy ride for him – first up is top contender Michael Mokoena, who has stopped five of his past six opponents.

Komanisi is hard in training, aware of the importance of both winning and making a favourable impression.

Promoter Rodney Berman has high hopes for the big puncher, especially as he will no longer need to pull weight, having struggled for years to make featherweight. He will be boxing at lightweight where expectations are strong that he will carry his power with him.

“South Africans will see a new Komanisi,” predicted Berman. “We know all about ‘Nomeva’ and the threat he poses. Assuming Komanisi wins, I predict we’ll have the makings of a huge domestic fight in the tradition of Phillip Ndou against Cassius Baloyi. That was also boxer versus puncher and was a real classic.”

Phillip Ndou against Cassius Baloyi 17 years ago was an all-time SA boxing classic.

Berman also revealed that he has secured a highly regarded opponent for the winner of the Tommy Oosthuizen-Thabiso Mchunu fight on September 1 with the plan to get the winner WBC recognition and a place in top 10 reckoning.

Given this dimension, “Call to Glory” is a massive event that will lead perfectly into the holiday season.

Cowan Ray, pictured with trainer Sebastiaan Rothmann and dad Basil, will fight Jade Karam on September 1. Pic: Courtesy Christo Smith

It has the makings of a backyard brawl, but whatever happens when Jade Karam and Cowan Ray fight on September 1, the bout is bound to be memorable.

The fight was made this week, BSA sanctioning it yesterday, boosting the “Call to Glory” show on spring day.

Karam had an unlucky time of it in his recent foray in Ireland, losing several fights, but during his earlier time in SA he enjoyed a good run with his crowd-pleasing style.

“He’ll fight his heart out,” said promoter Jeff Ellis, who made the fight and coincidentally grew up in Mayfair, as did Karam. Another link is that Jade’s grandfather was Paul Karam snr, who campaigned in the 1950s and ended his career with a fight against Hottie van Heerden.

Cowan Ray, the son of former national heavyweight contender Basil (who was promoted by Ellis), has a flawless 4-0 record, but needs to get a move on if he is to make a dent in the middleweight rankings. He’s fast and hits hard, making him a good foil against Karam’s greater experience.

The fight card is topped by the mouth-watering clash between Tommy Oosthuizen and Thabiso Mchunu.

• Meanwhile, the Lusanda Komanisi-Michael Mokoena fight, also in September 1, will have ABU eliminator status.