By Mesuli Zifo
The name Aaron Pryor still sends shivers down Harold Volbrecht’s spine even though the American has long retired from the boxing ring and Volbrecht has since established himself as one of the top South African trainers after his own checkered career which included two world title challenges.
So when one of Volbrecht’s brightest prospects Thomas Oosthuizen received news that he would make his American debut with a fight against Aaron Pryor, Volbrecht’s heart went racing a bit before his mind recollected that the Pryor in question could not be the famous “Hawk” who ruled the junior welterweight division with an iron fist in the 1980s at exactly the same time Volbrecht was trying to win a world title just a division above in the welters.
But when he realized that the Pryor Oosthuizen will be facing is in fact Aaron’s son who goes by the same name his father made famous when he bludgeoned every challenger to his IBF and WBA junior welterweight crowns from 1980 to 1987, Volbrecht’s worry turned into excitement.
Oosthuizen (15-0-1, 11 Kos), will face Aaron Pryor Jnr at Beau Rivage Resort and Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, US on September.
The 23-year-old southpaw who holds the IBO super middleweight crown is yet to make his impression in US and justify his lofty top ten rating by Ring Magazine.
The fight will be on the undercard of the highly anticipated IBF welterweight title clash between champion Jan Zaveck and recently deposed WBC champion Andre Berto.
Volbrecht says he could not have wished for a better opponent for his charge in his first fight in US.
“I had a big respect for Aaron Pryor and that alone will help us to leave nothing to chance when preparing for this fight,” Volbrecht said.
Indeed when Volbrecht went down in the fifth round in his WBA welterweight title challenge against Mexican Pipino Cuevas in 1980, Pryor was beginning his reign of terror as WBA champion just a division below.
Gifted with crippling power, the Hawk turned back every challenger to his throne with ruthless precision and went to add the IBF crown to his collection.
With their ages almost identical, Pryor who at 56 years is now Volbrecht’s senior by one year, amassed an incredible 35 knockouts in 39 victories with just one loss.
Volbrecht says he was glad his world title challenge was not against the “Hawk”.
So popular was Pryor that his boxing career was closely followed in South Africa with several fighters borrowing his Hawk ring name such as former IBF junior featherweight champion Welcome “Hawk” Ncita and Masibulele “Hawk” Makepula.
“He was unbelievable and if his son possesses half of his father’s fighting ability he should be something special,” Volbrecht added.
A glimpse at Pryor Jnr’s fight record does not suggest that he has inherited his father’s fighting prowess as the son has lost three times in 19 bouts.
Now 33 years old, Pryor Jnr earned his biggest victory in his last fight this past May when he beat tough Mexican Librado Andrade who is famous for giving current unbeaten IBF super middleweight champion Lucien Bute hell in their first fight.
Oosthuizen who often dwarfs his opponents with reach and height advantage will not enjoy such attribute against Pryor Jnr as they are both the same height.
“We do not want a bum for our US debut so fighting this Pryor Jnr guy will instantly earn Oosthuizen respect from US boxing fans when he wins,” he said.
