Gary Lemke looks ahead to a jam-packed sporting weekend as former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson is set to fight Youtuber Jake Paul, while the Springboks will face England at Twickenham.
BOXING’S BLACK EYE AS TYSON ‘FIGHTS’ PAUL
In the early hours of Saturday, SA time, in Texas, a 27-year-old averagely-skilled boxer will get the chance to bully a 58-year-old legend, watched by over 300 million people on Netflix worldwide. No matter the 58-year-old is Mike Tyson.
No matter the 27-year-old is Jake Paul, a Gen Z opportunist who has found a sweet spot in boxing’s decay. He’s 27, some 31 years younger. I really hope Tyson wins by knockout, and he sure has a puncher’s chance. But I pray he doesn’t. “Winning” would mean Tyson would return for another “fight” and that one could be life-threatening.
After his last exhibition against Roy Jones in 2020, Tyson spent a week in a wheelchair. He’s faded, old and you might be shocked by the shell that he is compared to what he was. This “fight” could be staged, and I won’t be having a bet, but I feel the younger man will “win”, on points. Whatever the case, boxing loses.
BOKS TO FEEL SAFFA LOVE AT TWICKERS
Last week’s Autumn Internationals produced a clean sweep for the southern hemisphere with Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina and Fiji winning. The good thing from a Springbok perspective is that they were below par and still beat Scotland. They’ll be much better this week against England, with that match under their belts and their ‘A’-team starting.
The Boks are six-point favourites to win at Twickenham, which these days almost feels like a home game given the number of ex-pats. Elsewhere, Argentina will struggle against Ireland, although the Wallabies should beat a poor Wales. I’d back France to beat the All Blacks though having spent time at the Paris Games and seeing first-hand how the fans can get behind their team at the Stade de France, which made the Boks win over them at the World Cup even more special.
PROTEAS NEED TO CHANGE MINDSET
What is it with Proteas cricket when it comes to T20s? Both the men and women have what is now bordering on an obsession to field first when they win the toss. In five of their last six chasing attempts after winning the toss, scoreboard pressure has mounted against them.
The women’s T20 World Cup final is another example. And three times in three T20s against India in the past week the Proteas have won the toss and asked India to bat. Twice India have reached 200 and the Proteas have fallen short in the chase. On Friday (5pm) the fourth game in the series takes place at the Wanderers.
It would be good to see the Proteas batting first and putting up a number. And India will also get to experience Friday night hospitality, Joburg style.
PRESSURE OFF AS BAFANA THROUGH ‘Q-SCHOOL’
Football’s latest International break sees Bafana Bafana play two matches in five days. The upside Is that they already have a big, bold “Q” next to their name ahead of the matches against Group K leaders Uganda on Friday night and South Sudan on Tuesday.
Bafana qualified when South Sudan beat Congo on Thursday to take the pressure off. In the first set of fixtures Uganda held Bafana to a 2-2 draw in South Africa, while Bafana Bafana beat South Sudan 3-2. In European action, it’s the Nations League this week.
Italy beat Belgium 1-0 on Thursday night and come up against France on Sunday, while Defending champions Portugal play Poland on Friday and Croatia on Monday, among the avalanche of matches.
LAWRENCE FLYING SA FLAG IN DUBAI
The end-of-season DP World Tour Championship is in full swing and Sunday will see another name written on the trophy in Dubai. It’s a limited 50-man field based on the Race To Dubai standings and one South African made the cut.
Thriston Lawrence has had a spectacular season and earned his PGA Tour card for 2025 in the process. He went out in Thursday’s first round paired with Rory McIlroy and shot 73 (his playing partner had a 67) and whatever further happens this week, has already set himself up as a player to watch next year. He’s also the highest-placed South African on the world rankings.
ALSO WORTH CHANNEL HOPPING …
Jorge Martin takes a virtually unassailable 24-point lead into MotoGP’s final race of the season, in Barcelona. Saturday’s sprint race could actually clinch the title over Francesco Bagnaia ahead of Sunday. Brad Binder is tussling with Pedro Agosta to finish fifth and sixth on the championship table …
Jon Jones takes on Stipe Miocic at UFC 209 in New York. Jones last fought in March 2023 and while he’s an all-time great – he also plays a part in Netflix’s The Cage – he has also had to fight mental demons on the way. But he should beat Micic …
Sunday will see the winner crowned in tennis’ ATP finals – and world No1 Jannick Sinner and Taylor Fritz is already in the semi-finals.
