This Saturday, while DiBella Entertainment’s Andy Lee will be looking to become the new WBC Middleweight Champion of the world when he takes on Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. at the Sun Bowl Stadium in El Paso, TX, former cruiserweight world title challenger Ran Nakash (26-1, 18KO’s) will be looking to put himself back into the spotlight.
Nakash is scheduled to take on Johnny Muller (10-1-2, 7KO’s) at the Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng, South Africa, in the first round of Rodney Berman’s Golden Gloves promoted Super 8 Cruiserweight Tournament.
In addition to Nakash and Muller, the other six fighters consist of Daniel Bruwer (22-4-1, 19KO’s), Zack Mwekassa (12-2, 11KO’s), Thabiso Mchunu (9-1, 6KO’s), Flo Simba (12-2, 10KO’s), Tshepang Mohale (8-4, 7KO’s) and Danie Venter (13-5, 10KO’s).
Many boxing insiders feel Nakash is the favorite going in, but, as seen by the other participants, records, everyone has legitimate knockout power, meaning anything can happen. That being said, with just a few days until the start of the tournament, Nakash is full of confidence.
“After my fight against Huck, I haven’t stopped dreaming about when my next title fight will come,” said Nakash. “It is all I think about every day. For me to fulfill that dream, I must win the Super 8, and that is exactly what I intend on doing.”
After dropping a competitive decision to WBO Cruiserweight Champion Marco Huck in April of last year, Nakash, the Israel Defense Forces Chief Commander of Krav Maga, traveled to New York and made his successful DBE debut on January 29, 2012, pitching a shutout (80-72 across the board) over Philadelphia’s heavy-handed Derek Bryant (20-6-1, 17KO’s).
Lou DiBella, President of DiBella Entertainment, was looking to bring Nakash back stateside, until he received the offer from Berman, with whom DiBella has a great working relationship, as they co-promote world-rated super middleweight contender Tommy Oosthuizen.
The second round of the tournament will take place on September 22, with the finals culminating on November 10.
