World Sports Betting (WSB) has steadily been raising the bar in the gambling industry for the last 21 years. In the process, South Africa’s Premier Sportsbook has grown from strength to strength.
Today, WSB offers thousands of markets in all Local and International Sports and Racing as well as an extensive casino offering. WSB believes that it’s their responsibility to promote responsible gambling, but also to grow the communities in which they serve.
As part of their Skills Development Program, WSB has just joined forces with long-standing brand ambassador, EFC and MMA Champion Luke Michael, in a bid to set-up a never-before-seen Performance Institute in Cape Town, South Africa.
Michael is a born and bred Capetonian after spending most of his childhood in the suburb of Goodwood. He took up martial arts at the age of 14, starting out with traditional karate.
Two years later he discovered submission grappling, which led him to discover the world of MMA and fell head over heels for the sport.
He was driven to become a professional MMA athlete. His hard work was rewarded when he won seven MMA fights, including winning the Cape Town Fight League Amateur MMA Title.
At 19, he was offered an EFC contract, which led to nine professional fights before competing for the EFC World Middleweight Championship in March of 2022.
It was a momentous occasion he will never forget, winning the fight by TKO in the first round. Sadly, on 10 November 2022, while preparing for his first title EFC defence he tore his ACL in the left knee during sparring.
Surgery was the only option, forcing him out of competition. Now, seven months after he had his operation, he is deep into his intensive rehabilitation phase. There are still a few more months of rehab before he can return to MMA training and should hopefully be back in the ring in December to defend his title once again.
“It has been a tough experience, but I am eternally grateful to World Sports Betting for sticking by my side through it all, even though I haven’t been able to compete,” Michael said.
“This time has given me the chance to focus on this amazing business opportunity with WSB, so all things really do happen for a reason. I am so excited to continue building my legacy and my business whilst proudly representing the WSB brand” he said.
The Institute will be fully equipped with a full CrossFit section as well as an extensive commercial gym offering. The offering extends to a fully matted area which will offer complete MMA and boxing training with a sports recovery facility where members can make sure they recover for the next session.
To top it all off, there will be an in-house coffee shop where members can enjoy some of Cape Towns’ finest coffee. Light meals will be on offer and members will have the opportunity to sign up with WSB and receive free bets.
“We are excited to extend our association with Luke and to create this Performance Institute where like-minded people can get professional training and support from an amazing team. This is an exciting time for both parties and fans can look forward to some exciting initiatives.” said Warren Tannous, CEO of WSB.
“I am truly honoured to have been associated with this company for over four years. I have grown so much as a man and an athlete during this time. They have literally given me the opportunity to live my dream day in and day out and now we will take over the MMA and Fitness industry as we have the biggest betting brand behind us. I cannot thank Warren Tannous enough for impacting my life.
I am blessed beyond words and very excited. Stay tuned for my comeback to the EFC cage defending my world title fight out of the WSB Performance Institute,” said Michael.
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