Tonight at Manhattan’s luxurious Hammerstein Ballroom, Cedric Kushner Promotions presents a hotly anticipated fight card that’s being termed “The Homecoming”. The main event features middleweights John Duddy, 12-0 (11), and Bryon Mackie, 25-11 (8), colliding head to head. The venue, located at West 34th Street and 8th Avenue, is over one hundred years old and promoter Cedric Kushner has firmly decided that Friday will mark the first sellout in the storied building’s history.
Canadian native Mackie should be a good contender to the popular, hard hitting Irishman Duddy, who has knocked out all but one of the opponents he’s faced during his pro boxing career.
On the undercard, Armando Gutierrez, 16-0 (10), will battle Takalani Ndlovu, 23-3 (15), of South Africa for Gutierrez’ IBO Featherweight Championship belt.
At a press conference promoting this exciting bill held the day before, South African
Boxing Liaison Officer, Shona MacTaggart of Golden Gloves promotional company took the liberty of expressing the situation of South African Boxers, in which she promotes and helps channel to the United States. Ms. MacTaggart suggested that these international boxers experience great opportunities through the South African government. Here are some details in how boxers from South Africa do reap the benefits for becoming a professional boxer:
Written contracts are required, in which the boxer and his trainer share funds via written contracts between them. Boxers are only required to purchase their own inexpensive license every year. The South African government commission is legislated by Parliament and provides fighters with good health benefits such as medical and life insurance. All fighters are guaranteed a minimum purse each time that they engage in a boxing match.