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Sunday, November 10, 2024

Joshua Feldman to Fight Tumi Nakedi on November 23

Junior middleweight prospect Joshua Feldman is scheduled to fight Tumi Nakedi on November 23 at Box Camp Booysens in Johannesburg, South Africa. The tournament, promoted by Boxing 5, will also feature the debut of Josh's friend and fellow Jew, Doron Zinman.

Feldman is a real-life Spiderman. Just before his debut, he was bit by a spider, which must have been radioactive because the 20 year old from Cape Town has looked superhuman on his way to a 4-0 record with 2 KOs. He doesn't shoot webs from his hands, though, just straight lefts and right hooks.

The southpaw last fought on September 20 and earned a dominating first round knockout victory. "I was pretty pissed off because the guy never made weight," Josh told SA Boxing Talk. "I was coming to hurt him in that fight."

Feldman usually spends the first part of his camp in Cape Town at the Blood, Sweat, and Tears Gym before coming up to finish at the Hot Box Gym with Colin Nathan  in Johannesburg. This time, however, he came back to Johannesburg two and a half weeks after his last fight, a good bit earlier than usual. Josh also spars twice a week at Apex Gym because there are some guys in his weight class there.

Nakedi (1-3-1) is from Johannesburg and fought from 2016-2018. A southpaw, he throws punches from awkward angles. He has some skills; he slips punches and uses feints, but he's no Green Goblin. In his second fight against Steven Dewu, Nakedi threw quite a few lead left uppercuts starting from his socks, which is typically a recipe for disaster. That fight was nearly seven years ago, but if he does that against Josh, look for counter right hooks to find a home on Nakedi's face.

Nakedi last fought six and half years ago, so he brings a level of unpredictability to this fight. He was a junior welterweight back then, but it would be natural to grow a bit heavier in a half-dozen years.

This bout is scheduled for six rounds, a distance Nakedi completed in his last fight, a decision loss to Bheki Mahlangu. This will be Feldman's first scheduled six-rounder. "I don't expect it to go the distance," he told SA Boxing Talk, "but I'm definitely prepared to go six rounds." Feldman believes he'll be even better when his fights are scheduled for more rounds, which makes sense. In previous fights, he rushed his power punches, aiming for a knockout. With more time, he'll be able to establish his jab and and can take the time to set up his power punches. He's also a vicious body puncher, a skill which will have more effect in longer fights.

Feldman-Nakedi will be streamed on DAZN and Vision View TV.


Update: Feldman is now scheduled to fight Brian Shakoane.

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