With one of the most powerful figures in world boxing, Mauricio Sulaimán Saldivar, set to arrive in South Africa in less than a month, Golden Gloves chief executive officer Rodney Berman reckons that the Mexican will see the best of South African pugilism on Saturday, 16 May.
Sulaimán, who is World Boxing Council (WBC) president, will be Golden Gloves’ guest of honour when Mdantsane’s Siyakholwa Kuse challenges reigning WBC minimumweight champion Melvin ‘El Gringo’ Jerusalem from the Philippines in a rematch at the Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, Ekurhuleni.
Talking about the upcoming fight, Berman said: “We laid out a fortune to bring Jerusalem to South Africa. After we returned from the Philippines, no one gave Kuse a chance to get another opportunity so soon.”
Berman added: “Kuse was beyond my wildest expectations when he fought against Jerusalem in the Philippines last year. He’s gonna dish out a tremendous performance this time around.”
With Sulaimán set to land in South Africa on Wednesday 13 May, Berman said: “The fight will have a huge impact on South African boxing, especially having Mauricio at ringside. He will be here to watch the best of South African boxing. He will also get an opportunity to watch excellent heavyweight boxers in action.”
Meanwhile, Mauricio has been WBC president for just over 12 years having ascended to the boxing body’s high office after his father José Sulaimán, who led the organisation for almost 40 years, passed away in January 2014.
Before becoming the head honcho, the 56-year-old Mauricio from Mexico City was the WBC secretary-general. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
This surely is the best thing ever to happen for SA boxing. May Kuse’s win impress the WBC head office & open doors for other SA boxers .
We wish him the best of luck .