Hlatshwayo comes to America

By Scott Shaffer

31/01/2005

Hlatshwayo comes to America

After cleaning out the lightweight division in South Africa, Isaac Hlatshwayo has been working out in New York City for the past ten days with Manny Fernandez, his South African trainer. Hlatshwayo’s promoter, Rodney Berman, has brought Cedric Kushner aboard as a co-promoter and Kushner has already landed Hlatshwayo his first bout in this country. In what looks to be an easy American debut, the world class Hlatshwayo will face veteran opponent Marty Robbins in eight-rounder this Friday at Foxwoods Casino in Connecticut. Hlatshwayo is 20-0 and #10 in the Boxingtalk ratings. “I don’t profess to be an expert but when I was in the gym on Friday, I could see just from the way he was working out that he is the real goods,” said Kushner, adding that Hlatshwayo is seeking high-profile opportunities right now. Hlatshwayo’s biggest win came at the expense of Phillip Ndou, who previously challenged Floyd Mayweather for the WBC lightweight title. Hlatshwayo, the South African lightweight champion since 2002, won by split decision in that bout and Ndou wound up retiring from the head injuries he suffered.