Rising junior middleweight stars Roarke Knapp and Shervantaigh Koopman will return in separate bouts at Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng, South Africa.
The excellent news is that the remainder of the world will lastly see them.
Their fights have so far been broadcast on the African continent by the subscription channel Supersport, leaving the remainder of the world at the hours of darkness. Nevertheless, tomorrow’s card will likely be streamed internationally by DAZN to battle followers not on the continent.
The thrilling Knapp has gone from energy to energy, compiling a document of 17-1-1 with 12 knockouts, having avenged his solely defeat to Brandon Thysse again in 2019. He fought twice in 2022, profitable a call over the veteran Ahmed El Mousaoui, in addition to changing into the primary man to cease Przemyslaw Zysk, demolishing the Pole in 5 rounds. A proposed UK battle towards Josh Kelly scheduled for the tip of final yr was cancelled when Knapp injured his hand in coaching, requiring surgical procedure.
An thrilling boxer-puncher, Knapp has the charisma that places butts in seats and his return, in addition to publicity on a much bigger platform, couldn’t come sooner. He will likely be taking over Mexican Jorge Garcia Perez in a 12 rounder for the IBO 154-pound belt, a title not acknowledged by The Ring.
The extra skilled Perez has 24 knockouts included in his 29 wins towards 4 defeats, and has by no means been stopped. He’s driving a four-fight profitable streak and has been in with notable names comparable to Jorge Paez jr. whom he stopped in 4 and world title challenger Carlos Ocampo, to whom he dropped a call again in 2020.
Shervantaigh Koopman (left) and Wendy Toussaint (proper) – Photograph by Droeks Malan
Knapp, nevertheless, shouldn’t be the one South African junior middleweight hopeful. There’s additionally his stablemate, the undefeated 13-0 Shervantaigh Koopman. He will likely be up towards US primarily based Haitian fighter Wendy Toussaint.
Koopman impressed in 2023, making Brandon Thysse retire in his nook after eight rounds. That was his massive breakout win and he parlayed that momentum into placing on a boxing clinic towards Cristiano Ndombassy in his subsequent battle. Swift of hand and foot, Koopman has exhibited a fantastic punch selection. He additionally has the flexibility to field or get down within the trenches if want be.
The 15-2 Toussaint, who lasted 9 rounds towards The Ring’s then-undefeated and eight-rated contender Charles Conwell, represents one other step up and it is going to be fascinating to see how Koopman manages it.
A battle between Knapp and Koopman, who commonly spar towards one another, could be an area dream battle. For noDroeks Malan w, possibilities of that occuring are zero, with each stepping into separate instructions.
On the undercard, 6-0 strawweight prospect Beaven Sibanda should sink or swim when he takes on the extra skilled Siphamandla Baleni over eight rounds. The 21-6-2 Baleni has competed at a a lot larger degree and has shared the ring with, amongst others, former IBF strawweight boss, Nkosinathi Joyi.
A heavyweight eight rounder between former nationwide champions, Juan Roux and Chris Thompson must also make for a crowd-pleasing battle.
The cardboard is introduced by Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves Promotions.
