‘Tommy Gun’ at a crossroads as he takes comeback trail to Carousel

Former IBO super middleweight and light heavyweight champion Thomas “Tommy Gun” Oosthuizen will make his comeback against Limbani Lano of Malawi in a non-title 10-rounder in the cruiserweight division on Sunday.

Competitive boxing goes back to the Carousel hotel and casino in Hammanskraal, North West, for the event. Due to Covid-19 it has been two years since the sport was hosted in that venue, which is synonymous with history-making boxing events.

Jani Hebler, who promotes under the banner of 5th Element Management Services, has organised Sunday’s six bouts. Oosthuizen’s international fight against Lano headlines the event.

The last time Oosthuizen donned boxing gloves in a Boxing SA-sanctioned tournament was in September last year when he worked hard for his points win over eight rounds against Youssouf Kasongo Mwanza. Oosthuizen, though, while he showed some glimpse of his former self, could not shift to his highest gear.

That assessment is based on what the left-hander from Boksburg possesses as a fighter. He looked heavy and there was a tyre around his waist, indicating he did not work his socks off during preparations.

Understandably, the fight came a few months after he spent time in jail on charges related to drug dealing. It is unclear what would have happened to Oosthuizen had Lovemore Ndou not saved the situation by footing his legal bill from Australia, where he has lived since 1995.

Oosthuizen was a marvel to watch growing up and looked destined for great heights. The fight on Sunday could give a clear indication of his future.

Former heavyweight fighter Peter “Sniper” Smith, who has established himself as a top trainer, will be barking instructions in Oosthuizen’s corner.

Many careers took off at the venue. Super-bouts by promoter Rodney Berman always took place in a marquee outside the casino's parking area, where unfancied Vuyani “The Beast” Bungu upset the bookies by ending the reign of feared American Kennedy McKinney as IBF junior featherweight champion in August 1994.

That win was music to the ears of Berman and trainer Mzimasi Mnguni because McKinney had won that belt from their charge, Welcome Ncita, in the US in April that year.

It was also at the Carousel where Bungu made 10 of his 13 defences before relinquishing the title and moved up to the featherweight division. It was where  Jeff “911" Magagane won the WBA Pan Africa featherweight belt in 2019.

For Tommy Gun, it could be the beginning of a late bloom or a tough setback at an advanced age.

The action begins at 2pm.