By Mesuli Zifo
Unbeaten British boxer Denton Vassell has emerged as the front runner to face South African Chris Van Heerden for the vacant IBO welterweight title at Emperors Palace, SA on September 24.
Vessel got the nod for the clash after his compatriot Matthew Hatton reportedly priced himself out of the bout.
Other names under consideration include former IBF champion Isaac Hlatshwayo and former belt holder Lovemore Ndou.
But Hlatshwayo’s inactivity since his last bout in October when he scraped through with a highly debatable points victory over unheralded Nkululeko Mhlongo has put him in a disadvantage spot to be seriously considered.
And Ndou has a date with unbeaten British prospect Kell Brook on June 26 in Sheffield, England, which could rule him out of the September 24 date.
Golden Gloves Promotion (GGP) boss Rodney Berman who will stage the fight said negotiations with Ricky Hatton, ironically Matthew’s brother, for Vassell to face Van Heerden were almost complete.
Hatton was in Mexico at the weekend with his other charge Ryan Rhodes who failed to unseat Saul Alvarez for the WBC junior middleweight crown when he stopped in the 12th round of a one-sided fight.
“As soon as Ricky returns home we will tie the loose ends for this fight,” confirmed Berman.
The choice of Vassell, who is unbeaten in 17 bouts with nine stoppages, has raised questions about GGP’s wisdom of throwing Van Heerden (16-1-1, 10Kos) into the deep end when a less dangerous opponent could have been secured.
The Englishman, who hails from Lancashire, is only 26 years old and is the reigning British and Commonwealth champion having lifted the crown with a dominant points-win over Lee Purdy last April.
Vassell also inflicted the first professional defeat on Bethuel Ushona in defence of the crowns this past March.
Despite the danger posed by Vassell, Berman insists that the Englishman is the right opponent for the once beaten Van Heerden.
“We don’t want to pull wool over people’s eyes by saying our fighters are world champions when they are not,” Berman argued.
“It is important that they prove themselves against the best in the world and I feel this guy is perfect for Van Heerden if he wants to be taken seriously as a world champion.”
However Vassell is scheduled to have a fight on July 16 at the Sports Centre, Oldham in Lancashire against an opponent yet to be announced.
Berman said negotiations with Hatton also included the possibility of Vassell pulling out of the July 16 bout.
Other fighters to feature on the September 24 date include Flo Simba and Sipho Taliwe.
Simba will be looking to redeem himself after his upset six rounds stoppage defeat by veteran Francios Botha whose rematch with Evander Holyfield is set for November 1 at Emperors Palace.
