With most of the Covid-19 regulations still in place, there’s only one thing a fighter can do: dream of the next time he steps into the ring.
If anything, the lockdown period has presented an ideal time to reflect, prepare and sharpen his skill, says Jami Webb, one of the Cape’s most promising junior middleweight prospects.
Although relatively new to the sport, Webb, 30, mentored by Westridge boxing trainer Ashley Whiteboy, has done enough to impress boxing fans since turning professional two years ago. Understandably so, especially considering his fight record of 6-0.
His tall, slender frame is reminiscent of former WBA welterweight champion, Thomas “The Hitman” Hearns (32-0) who became the first boxer in history to win world titles in five weight divisions: welterweight, light middleweight, middleweight, super middleweight and light heavyweight.
Boxing aficionados will recall that, in 1981, Hearns lost his first professional fight when he fought WBC champion, Sugar Ray Leonard (30-1) in an epic clash dubbed “The Showdown”.
Like The Hitman, Webb is also good with his hands and boasts a height advantage that gives him an edge over his opponents.
In fact, it’s his hands that earned him the nickname “Weapons” and, he says, once we’re in the clear of this whole Covid-19 situation, he’ll be able to put it to good use.
“I’ve always been passionate about boxing,” he said, recalling that one time his older sister had to bail him out in a schoolyard brawl.
“Funny story is, my first fight was actually in primary school. I think I was in Grade 1 and my sister was Grade 2,
“So I got into a fight and my sister came to save me. She’s like, stop it guys, leave my brother. Stop hitting my brother. I started crying, not because I was hurt, but because I wanted to fight,” he said.
Although big sis saved the day, young Jami made up his mind, he was going to be a boxer.
Fast forward to Philippi Plaza, some years later, at an event called Future Champs, when he stepped into the ring for the first time.
Unknown to him at the time, he said, was an experienced opponent who happened to be undefeated at that point.
“It was a bit intense in there, I can’t explain it.”
“The atmosphere was brilliant, everyone was singing songs and shouting…
“I fought my first fight and I beat the guy. From there I was hooked, I couldn’t stop, I just wanted to continue fighting,” he said.
The rest, as they say, is history, which, in more recent times includes the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.
What followed was an end to all sporting activities and a total lockdown as declared by president Cyril Ramaphosa just over a month ago.
“The Covid-19 lockdown has affected my goals but it’s good that we can stay at home and basically solve this together.
“It’s actually a good time now to plan for the future. “My goals after the lockdown are to continue training, get a tune up fight and then fight for the SA title,” he said.
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