By Mesuli Zifo

IBO super middleweight champion Thomas Oosthuizen may have scraped through with a close points verdict over veteran William Gare in the eyes of many ringsiders a fortnight ago but that has not stopped the young champion from aiming to invade the US boxing scene in his next bout.

According to Oosthuizen’s manager Brian Mitchell his charge will be involved in the biggest fight of his career when he features in a Lou DiBella-promoted event headlined by world middleweight champion Sergio Martinez in US in October in a venue yet to be confirmed.

Mitchell clinched the deal during his trip to New York where he attended the International Boxing Hall of Fame (IBHOF) inductions in Canastota last weekend.

The inductions which drew the biggest attendance in their history, included former world heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, world acclaimed referee Joe Cortez, former world junior welterweight king Kostya Tszyu, Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez, Mexican promoter Ignacio Beristain and actor Sylvester Stallone of the Rocky movie fame.

Mitchell, whose own induction took place in 2009, was a guest of honour together with his compatriot and international referee Stan Christodoulou who was voted in five years earlier.

Mitchell and Christodoulou are the only South African boxing personalities to be inducted into IBHOF and together with Ghana’s Azumah Nelson they are the only trio from their entire African continent to receive the honors.

While in New York, Mitchell held a meeting with DiBella to discuss the future of SA fighters including Oosthuizen and recently vanquished Flo Simba to feature in the guttural voiced American’s shows.

 “It was an honour for me to be invited by Lou to discuss the future of our fighters,” Mitchell said.

No opponent has been confirmed for Oosthuizen yet but Mitchell said it would be “someone solid” as they look to consolidate the 23-year-old unbeaten champion’s lofty ranking by the respected Ring Magazine.

The southpaw champion, unbeaten in 16 fights with a draw and 11 stoppages, occupies the 10th spot in the Ring ratings and that is major feat in a deep-talented division such as the super middleweight.

Simba, who was upset by veteran Francois Botha with a sixth round stoppage also a fortnight ago, would have been part of the deal, but according to Mitchell, DiBella will be keeping a close eye on him in his September 24 bout against an opponent yet to be announced.

“Simba’s defeat by Botha set him back a bit but Lou has promised to use him if he wins on September 24,” Mitchell added.