Spectators who attend boxing tournaments seldom take much notice of equipment such as the ring lights, corner posts, the ring and other paraphernalia that go into setting up a successful show. But when the fans go home, a tremendous amount of work has to be done. Someone has to dismantle all those things. Shaik Osman, […]

Louis Botes, who fought as a professional from 1932 to 1936 in the featherweight and lightweight divisions, was a product of the Seaman’s Institute in Durban, where many quality fighters were produced. The Seaman’s Institute stands as a monument to the late Reverend Miles Cadman. He was known as the “The Fighting Parson”, and was […]

Theo Mthembu who must be considered as one of the greatest trainer’s and managers in South African boxing history did it all, fighting as a professional from 1948 to 1951, then as a journalist for The Mining Sun, and a number of other newspapers. Mthembu was born in KwaZulu- Natal in February 1927 and as […]

Looking through the annals of South African heavyweight boxing since James Robertson Couper was reported as the first claimant of the South African heavyweight title after beating Joe Coverwell in 1884, there is possible no more foul filled contest than the first fight between Gerrie Coetzee and Mike Schutte on 16 August 1976 at the […]

Up to 1973 interracial fights within South Africa were non-existent. However, Pierre Fourie’s steady climb to the top in the light heavyweight division inspired thoughts of a world title fight between him and Bob Foster, the world champion and an American black, in Johannesburg. At the time it was not uncommon for white South Africans […]

Bernie Taylor fought as a professional from 1958 to 1965 and won the South African bantamweight and featherweight titles in a 42-fight career, with three of his losses coming against the Steyn brothers; Stoffel twice and Andries once. His only other loss was against Irishman Freddie Gilroy on 5 December 1959 at the Kings Hall […]