The Big Deal is Back

Brooklyn "The Big Deal" Barwick took the summer off from boxing to visit Israel. The 26 year old featherweight linked up with several members of the Israeli combat sports community. Moshe, the brother of Nili Block, the Baltimore-born Muay Thai and kickboxing world champion, was one. While in the Holy Land, Barwick met the celebrity chef Tom Aviv and connected with Assaf of IsraelsMMA.

Barwick is nearing the end of her conversion journey. Born to a Jewish father, she is converting to Orthodox Judaism. "The conversion is long, hard and I've had to learn thirteen years of knowledge in nine months, but I'm feeling really good," she told The Jewish Boxing Blog.

She's developing self-defense courses, particularly for women, but also for co-eds. "I want to teach Jews how to fight," she said. Barwick held a self-defense seminar at the Palm Shtrimpin Festival in New York over the summer. Her next seminar is a women's safety class scheduled for Unity Litt's Rosh Hashanah Retreat. After experiencing controlling behavior in a past relationship, she wants to teach frum women and girls to protect themselves.

Brooklyn got back to training last week with the Sosa crew at New York Cops & Kids in Flatbush. She's targeting a fight in the fall at 126, before planning a move down to junior featherweight. She's currently seeking additional sponsors for her next bout.

If that isn't enough, Barwick announced, "I have a DJ set coming out soon. It's a break-up tune, and I hope that it shows you can come from nothing and turn into something." The EDM aficionado is aiming to walk out to her song in her next fight. She'll also sport a return to what she calls "Big Deal Blonde," as she was moments from a visit to the hairstylist during our phone conversation.

"It's a brand," she said. One the 7-1 fighter with seven KOs, looks to continue. "I am going to be a "'Big Deal' for as long as I can."

Preview of Joshua Feldman vs. Emile Brits

Undefeated junior welterweight Joshua Feldman will face fellow South African Emile "The Bomber" Brits on September 5 at Makers Landing in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa. This will be Feldman's first fight since he began training with Brandon Woods in Las Vegas. The 22 year old southpaw will have had a fifteen-month layoff before he enters the ring next month with a couple of belts on the line.

Feldman traveled to Vegas last summer after spending his entire pro career under the guidance of one of the best trainers on the globe, Colin Nathan. As a world-renowned trainer and star manager, Nathan had a lot on his plate. Feldman sought out the DLX Gym and Woods, a quality trainer in his own right but one without Nathan's reputation yet.

This is a homecoming for the 7-0 fighter. This is will be his first pro contest in his hometown of Cape Town. Feldman has fought all of his pro bouts in the Johannesburg area.

Brits, 30, is an experienced kickboxer. The resident of Kraaifontein, located just outside of Cape Town, became a professional boxer in 2021. He's a rough, come-forward fighter. His toughest test came against Ibrahima Diallo on December 16, 2023 for the WBA 154-pound Africa title. Diallo, a tall southpaw, boxed effectively to win by unanimous decision.

Diallo landed right uppercuts as Brits came in. He attacked the body to slow down the South African, and landed crisp clean shots over the top. Lots of Brits's shots fell on Diallo's gloves and arms. Feldman fights differently than Diallo, but he's a southpaw who is adept at boxing. In recent fights, though, Josh has shown there's a dog inside of him, his mean streak in the ring rising to the surface.

Brits is 6-3 with 3 KOs; BoxRec doesn't list the Diallo fight. He's as tough as they come, so it will be difficult for Feldman to stop him. But body shots early could slow Brits's pressure. The right uppercut will be there and that could set up Josh's overhand left and right hook, both sharp punches.

This fight marks Feldman's first ten rounder. Brits has had two scheduled that far with the Diallo fight going the distance.

David Malul Scheduled for October

Undefeated welterweight prospect "King" David Malul is scheduled to return to the ring on October 10 at the Paramount Theatre in Huntington, New York, USA. This will be his fourth fight at the Paramount and his fourth on a Star Boxing card.

Malul, 5-0 (3 KOs), is a native of Queens, New York. The 23 year old last fought at the Tropicana in Atlantic City back in June. He stopped Julius Thomas in the second round.

A devastating puncher when he first turned pro in 2024, David has incorporated more boxing into his game of late. Typically shorter than his opponents, he has been jabbing more on the way inside. He sets up his concussive overhand right more, and his left hook has evolved into a real weapon.

The October 10 fight is slated to be Malul's fight six-rounder. No opponent has yet been announced.