Thomas Oosthuizen ( ; born 2 April 1988) is a South African
professional boxer
Professional boxing, or prizefighting, is regulated, sanctioned boxing. Professional boxing bouts are fought for a purse that is divided between the boxers as determined by contract. Most professional bouts are supervised by a regulatory autho ...
. He is a former
IBO world champion in two
weight classes
Weight classes are divisions of competition used to match competitors against others of their own size. Weight classes are used in a variety of sports, especially combat sports (such as boxing, kickboxing, mixed martial arts and wrestling). Altern ...
, having held the
super-middleweight
Super middleweight, or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing
In professional boxing, super middleweight is contested between the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, in which boxers can weigh between 160 pounds ( ...
title from 2011 to 2014, and the
light-heavyweight
Light heavyweight, also referred to as junior cruiserweight or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing Professional
In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruiserw ...
title in 2015.
Professional career
Oosthuizen made his professional debut on 29 February 2008, knocking out Johannes Swart in two rounds. He then reeled off twelve straight victories, nine of which coming by way of knockout.
IBO super-middleweight champion
On 6 November 2010, Oosthuizen faced off against
IBO Super Middleweight
Super middleweight, or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing
In professional boxing, super middleweight is contested between the middleweight and light heavyweight divisions, in which boxers can weigh between 160 pounds ( ...
titleholder
Isaac Chilemba
Miguel Isaac Chilemba Zuze (born 17 May 1987) is a Malawian professional boxer who held the IBO super-middleweight title from 2010 to 2011, and challenged for the WBA (Undisputed), IBF, and WBO light-heavyweight titles in 2016.
Early profe ...
. The result was a split-decision draw which allowed Chilemba to retain the title, Oosthuizen claims that attempted to make a rematch were swiftly declined.
On 26 March 2011, Oosthuizen got a second crack at the
IBO title against Evert Bravo (Chilemba had vacated the title to move up to the
Light Heavyweight
Light heavyweight, also referred to as junior cruiserweight or light cruiserweight, is a weight class in combat sports.
Boxing Professional
In professional boxing, the division is above and up to , falling between super middleweight and cruise ...
class). Oosthuizen won the fight via a ninth-round technical knockout, which saw the referee stepping in to save Bravo from taking further punishment. Oosthuizen made his American debut on the undercard of
Andre Berto
Andre Michael Berto (born September 7, 1983) is a professional boxer who holds dual American and Haitian citizenship. He is a two-time former welterweight world champion, having held the WBC and IBF titles between 2008 and 2011, as well as the ...
vs.
Jan Zaveck
Dejan Zavec (born 13 March 1976), best known as Jan Zaveck, is a Slovenian former professional boxer who competed from 2003 to 2015. He held the IBF welterweight title from 2009 to 2011, and challenged once for the WBA super-welterweight title i ...
, winning a unanimous decision over Aaron Pryor Jr on 3 September 2011.
After two seemingly lackluster performances (a draw with
Brandon Gonzáles and split decision victory over
Ezequiel Maderna
Ezequiel Osvaldo Maderna (born October 1, 1986) is an Argentine professional boxer. He is also a former Olympian for Argentina in the men's middleweight division.
Amateur career
At the South American Games 2006 he won bronze when he lost 7:9 to ...
), a motorcycle injury forced Oosthuizen to withdraw from a scheduled bout fight with
Eleider Alvarez. He was subsequently released by his promoter Rodney Berman, who cited the fact that Oosthuizen was at least 13 pounds over the 175 lb. limit for the bout; stating, "He's had so many chances and blown every one". Following a brief stint in rehabilitation, Oosthuizen was able to mend ties with his promoter in an attempt to move forward with his boxing career. He vacated his IBO Super Middleweight Title on 21 April 2014.
Professional boxing record
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Oosthuizen, Thomas
1988 births
Living people
Super-middleweight boxers
Southpaw boxers
International Boxing Organization champions
African Boxing Union champions
Afrikaner people
South African people of Dutch descent
Sportspeople from Gauteng
South African male boxers
Light-heavyweight boxers
Cruiserweight boxers