The second Empire title fight to be held in South Africa was between South Africa’s Laurie Stevens and Judah Bergman also known as Jack Kid Berg of Whitechapel, London a former world junior welterweight champion, for the vacant British Empire lightweight title, that was held at the Wanderer’s Stadium in Johannesburg on January 11, 1936.
The first Empire title fight to take place in South Africa was on December 26, 1926, at the Johannesburg City Hall when 1924 bantamweight Olympic gold medallist Willie Smith in his last fight was outpointed over 12 rounds by Scotland’s Johnny McCrory for the vacant featherweight title.
A crowd of 14 000 which was a record at the time attended the Stevens v Berg fight at the old Wanderers Ground which was next to the Park Station (now Johannesburg station).
Berg had been in with some of the best featherweights, lightweights and welterweights in the world like Tony Canzoni, Mushy Callahan Kid Chocolate, Billy Patrolled and Joe Glick, and had taken part in more than 130 fights before the meeting with Stevens.
When he began training after his arrival in Johannesburg the spectators packed Harry Ralston’s Gym every day to see him spar with Austrian Ernest Wohler and George Anderson, bantamweight son of the well-known George “Fireman” Anderson
Berg was the first to enter the ring wearing his mauve dressing gown with the Golden letters. Jack “Kid” Berg embroidered on the back above which was a “Star of David”, the Hebrew national emblem.
Minutes later Stevens with his famous old blue raincoat which he had worn since his amateur days, and white trunks, came into ring with a big roar from the crowd.
At the sound of the opening bell both fighters came forward attacking fiercely with Stevens edging ahead.
It was a war of attrition with Berg being warned by referee Harry Carter for holding on occasions.
After a fierce exchange of punches in the second round, Stevens emerged with blood pouring from a cut above his eye and in the third round his eye was completely closed when Berg brought his head up.
However, the injury did not bother the former 1932 Olympic gold medallist as the Londoner was often guilty of foul tactics.
In the twelfth and last round, the courageous Berg kept throwing punches as the fighters stood toe-to-toe until the bell.
There was dead silence as the referee collected the scorecards and then nodded his head towards the South African’s corner.
Stevens had won because of his stamina and fighting heart but not everybody agreed with the decision in favour of Stevens.
Berg’s manager Harry Levine kicked up an almighty fuss and the promoters of the tournament, The Transvaal National Sporting Club offered Berg terms for a return fight which Stevens agreed to, but nothing ever became of the proposed rematch.
Berg finished his career with a record of 157-26-9; 61 and died in London on 22 April 1991.
A few years before his death I wrote to him asking him to send me an autographed photo. In the letter with the photo, he said how about some cigars in exchange which I did.
Laurie ended his career with a record of 38-2-1; 19 and passed away in Durban on August 17, 1989.
I will always remember Laurie when I stopped in at his sports shop in Risik Street, Johannesburg on my way home from work, and he would greet me with his familiar “Hello my pal”.
EMPIRE TITLE FIGHTS INVOLVING SOUTH AFRICANS (South African fighters named first)
Flyweight
Sep 8, 1952 Jake Tuli W TKO 12 Teddy Gardiner (England), Newcastle, England.
Oct 19, 1954 Jake Tuli L 15 Dai Dower (Wales), London, England.
Dec 6, 1955 Jake Tuli L 15 Dai Dower (Wales), London, England.
Oct 23, 1957 Dennis Adams W KO 3 Frankie Jones (Scotland), Glasgow, Scotland.
Jan 24, 1958 Dennis Adams W KO 2 Warner Batchelor (Australia), Durban, South Africa.
Jul 16, 1960 Dennis Adams W KO 1 Les Smith (South Africa), Durban, South Africa.
May 13, 1961 Dennis Adams NC 9 John Mthimkulu (South Africa), Luanshaya, Northern Rhodesia.
Mar 7, 1995 Daniel Ward W TKO 12 Francis Ampofo (England), London, England.
Jun 25, 1996 Daniel Ward L TKO 3 Peter Culshaw (England), London, England.
Jan 22, 2000 Abbey Mnisi L 12 Jason Booth (England), Birmingham, England.
May 10, 2003 Zolile Mbityi L 12 Dale Robinson (England), Huddersfield, England.
Apr 7, 2006 Zolile Mbityi L 12 Lee Haskins (England), Bristol, England.
Bantamweight
May 22, 1930 Willie Smith L 15 Dick Corbett, London.
Nov 22, 1949 Vic Toweel W 15 Stan Rowan (England), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Apr 8, 1950 Vic Toweel W 15 Fernando Gagnon (Canada), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dec 2, 1950 Vic Toweel WTKO 10 Danny O’Sullivan (England), Johannesburg, South Africa. (world title was also at stake).
Jan 28, 1952 Vic Toweel W 15 Peter Keenan (Scotland), Johannesburg, South
Africa. (world title was also at stake).
Nov 15, 1952 Vic Toweel L KO 1 Jimmy Carruthers (Australia), Johannesburg, South Africa. (world title was also at take).
Mar 21, 1953 Vic Toweel L KO 10 Jimmy Carruthers (Australia), Johannesburg, South Africa. (world title was also at stake).
Sep 14, 1956 Jake Tuli L KO 14 Peter Keenan (Scotland), Glasgow, Scotland.
Dec 5, 1959 Bernie Taylor L KO 5 Freddie Gilroy (Ireland), Belfast, Ireland.
Feb 14, 1994 Tsitsi Sokutu L TKO 7 Jimmy Armour (England), Bethnal Green,
London, England.
Feb 18, 1997 Lybo Nkoko L KO 1 Paul Lloyd (England), Cheshunt, England.
Apr 16, 1997 Simphiwe Pamana L TKO 11 Paul Lloyd (England), Bethnal Green, London, England.
Jun 22, 2006 Tshifhiwa Munyai W TKO 9 Martin Power (England), London, England. (vacant title).
Oct 6, 2006 Tshifhiwa Munyai W TKO 6 Lee Haskins (England), London, England.
Jan 26, 2006 Tshifhiwa Munyai W TKO 4 Martin Power (England), London, England.
Junior featherweight
May 23, 1998 Simon Ramoni L 12 Michael Brodie (England), BethnalGreen, London, England.
May 11, 2002 Vuyani Phulo L KO 8 Michael Aldis (England), Dagenham, England.
Featherweight
Dec 26, 1926 Willie Smith L 12 Johnny McGrory (Scotland), Johannesburg, South Africa. (vacant title).
Oct 15, 1994 Stanford Ngcebeshe L 12 Billy Hardy (England), Sun City, South Africa.
Nov 26, 2021 Thembani Mbangatha L KO 9 Nathaniel Collins, Bolton, England.
Junior Lightweight
Jan 26, 1996 Jackie Gunguluza L TKO 7 Justin Juuko (Uganda), Brighton, England.
Mar 10, 2007 Harry Ramogoadi L TKO 6 Kevin Mitchell (England), Liverpool, England.
Lightweight
Jan 11, 1936 Laurie Stevens W 12 Jack Kid Berg (England), Johannesburg, South Africa. (vacant title).
Feb 12, 1955 Johnny van Rensburg W 15 Joe Lucy (England), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jun 11, 1955 Johnny van Rensburg W 12 Louis Klopper (South Africa), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Aug 20, 1955 Johnny van Rensburg W TKO 8 Roy Louw (South Africa), CapeTown, South Africa.
Dec 10, 1955 Johnny van Rensburg W TKO 9 Willie Toweel, (South Africa), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jun 16, 1956 Willie Toweel W 15 Johnny van Rensburg (South Africa), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Aug 11, 1956 Willie Toweel D 15 Johnny van Rensburg (South Africa), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Nov 10 1956 Willie Toweel W 15 Richie Howard (Canada), Johannesburg South Africa.
Feb 14, 1957 Willie Toweel W TKO 4 Johnny van Rensburg (South Africa), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jul 9, 1957 Willie Toweel W 15 Dave Charnley (England), London, England.
May 15, 1959 Willie Toweel L KO 10 Dave Charnley (England), London, England.
Oct 29, 1995 Ditau Molefyane L KO 8 Billy Schwer (England), London, England.
Mar 14, 2015 Thompson Mokwana L TKO 7 Thompson Mokwana,Kempton Park.
Junior welterweight
May 12, 2001 Harrison Methula L TKO 7 Eamonn Magee (Ireland), Plymouth, England.
Oct 27, 2001 Matthews Zulu L PTS 12 Eamonn Magee (Ireland), Manchester, England.
Feb 19, 2005 Lovemore Ndou L PTS 12 Junior Witter (England), Los Angeles,USA.
Mar 24, 2017 Warren Joubert L TKO 6 Josh Taylor (Scotland), Edinburgh, Scotland.
Welterweight
Jan 27, 1951 Pat Patrick L KO 13 Eddie Thomas (Wales), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dec 8, 1952 Gerald Dreyer W 15 Cliff Curvis (Wales), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Jan 15, 1954 Gerald Dreyer L TKO 7 Barry Brown (New Zealand), Wellington, New Zealand.
Apr 14, 1956 Bennie Nieuwenhuizen L TKO 13 George Barnes (Australia), Johannesburg, South Africa.
May 17, 1958 Johnny van Rensburg W 15 George Barnes (Australia), Salisbury, Rhodesia.
Aug 18, 1958 Johnny van Rensburg L TKO 13 George Barnes (Australia), Sydney, Australia.
Middleweight
Oct 21, 1952 George Angelo L 15 Randolph Turpin (England), London, England.
Nov 12, 1955 Mike Holt L 15 Pat McAteer (England), Johannesburg, South Africa.
May 4, 1957 Jimmy Elliot L KO 6 Pat McAteer (England), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Oct 31, 1997 Johnson Tshuma (Zambian born) W 12 Paul Silky Jones (England), London, England.
Mar 24, 1998 Johnson Tshuma L 12 Paul Silky Jones (England), London, England.
Super middleweight
Mar 1, 2003 Andre Thysse W 12 David Starie (England), Brakpan,South Africa.
Dec 2, 2005 Ruben Groenewald L TKO 5 Carl Froch (England), Nottingham, England.
Light Heavyweight
Jul 16, 1958 Mike Holt L TKO 9 Yvon Durelle (Canada), Montreal, Canada.
Apr 25, 1960 Mike Holt D 15 John Halifihi (Tonga), Nottingham, England.
Heavyweight
Dec 18, 1911 Fred Storbeck L KO 11 Bombadier Billy Wells (England), London,
England.
Dec 6, 1912 George Rodel L KO 2 Bombadier Billy Wells (England), London,
England.
Jan 28, 1932 Don McCorkindale D 15 Larry Gains (Canada), London, England.
Mar 3, 1932 Don McCorkindale L 15 Larry Gains (Canada), London, England.
Aug 17, 1936 Ben Foord W TKO 3 Jack Petersen (England), Leicester, England.
Mar 15 1937 Ben Foord L 15 Tommy Farr (Wales), London, England.
Mar 26, 1949 Johnny Ralph L KO 3 Bruce Woodcock (England), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Oct 13, 1952 Johnny Arthur L TKO 7 Johnny Williams (Wales), Leicester, England.
Jan 30, 1954 Johnny Arthur L 15 Don Cockell (England), Johannesburg, South Africa.
Aug 26, 1959Gawie de Klerk L TKO 5 Henry Cooper (England), Porthcawl,Wales.
CHAMPIONS
Laurie Stevens (lightweight)-Won title: January 11, 1936
Ben Foord (heavyweight)-Won title: August 17, 1936
Vic Toweel (bantamweight)-Won title: November 12, 1949
Jake Tuli (flyweight)-Won title: September 8, 1952
Gerald Dreyer (welterweight)-Won title: December 8, 1952
Johnny van Rensburg (lightweight)-Won title: February 12, 1955
Willie Toweel (lightweight)-Won title: June 16, 1956
Dennis Adams (flyweight)-Won title: October 23, 1957
Johnny van Rensburg (welterweight)-Won title: May 17, 1958
Daniel Ward (flyweight)-Won title: March 6, 1995
Johnson Tshuma (middleweight)-Won title: October 31, 1997
Andre Thysse (super middleweight) Wontitle: March 1, 2003
TshifhiwaMunyai (bantamweight)-Won title: June 22, 2006