Van Niekerk-Makambi showdown on the cards

Although contracts have not yet been signed, South African middleweight champion Anthony Van Niekerk will, in principle, face former International Boxing Organisation champion Mpush Makambi in a crunching bout at Carnival City on May 9.

This Daewood Boksburg bout sparks what is becoming a welcome trend by Golden Gloves Promotions - matching top locals in appealing bouts that could see a turn for the better in attendances.

The bout comes in the wake of the signing of a non-title bout between SA welterweight champion Joseph Makaringe and twice beaten world title challenger Jan Bergman on the undercard of a triple world title bill at the same venue on February 17.

South African fans, for all intents and purposes, seem to have grown tired of predictable "world" title bouts. "Grudge" bouts such as these are as welcome as the summer after a severe winter.

The fact that no title is at stake, and, like the Makaringe-Bergman bout, will be over 10 rounds, does not negate it in any way. On the contrary, it should be a pointer to whether unappreciated southpaw, Makambi, now managed by Mzi Mnguni, can still have a shot at a world title after celebrating his 34th birthday on January 31.

The 1999 "Fighter of the Year" didn't get promotional local support during his reign as an IBO champion. This was between September 1998 when he won the vacant title against Adrian Dodson on an 11th round knockout, and in December when he lost the title to Raymond Joval in Amsterdam after making three successful defences.

Van Niekerk's manager Ralph Haynes laughs at suggestions that they are gambling by taking on Makambi.

"The fight is beneficial to us," says Haynes. "Makambi is a former world champion. He is the right person to fight at this stage and would be a good stepping stone for world recognition for us."

Mnguni said although the deal has not been signed, they are keen to take on Van Niekerk: "For Mpush, boxing is business. He is hungry. This is going to be a good fight between the champion and the top contender who is a former world champion."