Makambi gets another try at beating Joval

Mpush Makambi gets a chance to regain his International Boxing Organisation middleweight title from Raymond Joval in Holland in July but he must be disappointed that the bout is not staged by Rodney Berman's Golden Gloves/Fists Promotions.

After his first round knockout win over South African and all Africa champion Anthony van Niekerk at the Carousel on May 9, a jubilant Makambi hoped Berman, under whose organisation he was fighting for the first time, would take him under his wing.

"I'm glad I'm out of the slavery of overseas promoters," Makambi said after the Van Niekerk bout.

Makambi was unhappy about the way the IBO threatened to strip him of the title he held at the time if he did not face Joval. He had left unprepared with new trainer Mzi Mnguni to defend the belt and subsequently lost the title on points.

Berman said he has his hands full with his old crop of fighters and could not promote Makambi for the July 7 bout.

"I don't want to rule the world," he said.

The East London-based fighter is now back to square one - with Barry Hearn's Mushroom Promotions staging his grudge return bout.

"It's unfortunate that Makambi couldn't fight under Golden Gloves. Maybe Rodney has already drawn his plans for the year and if we have to wait, it will delay Makambi. We'll look at that after this bout," said Mnguni.

Mnguni said British promoter Hearn has a three-fight option in the event of Makambi winning the title.

"It's a standard rule," said Mnguni, adding that they would also look into fighting for the International Boxing Federation "or any other body if they want him (Makambi) as well".

Mnguni, who said they accepted the bout against Van Niekerk because they wanted to "sell" Makambi to Berman, is confident the southpaw would avenge his defeat for the belt he won against Adrian Dodson in September 1998.

He defended the title successfully against Dodson, Ensley Binghman and Steve Foster -winning all within the distance - before losing to Joval.

"The conditions under which we went to defend were not favourable. Everything was done too hastily. Makambi is already training for this fight and we'll have no excuses," said Mnguni.