If six-packs were casino chips, there would have been heaps of them at Emperors Palace on Tuesday afternoon.
The headliners for the “Amanqobi” tournament piled in for the Golden Gloves press conference and nominal weigh-in, all looking lean and strong ahead of Saturday’s tournament.
Unusually, the two main eventers sat alongside one another, Brandon Cook chugging down litres of water and South Africa’s Shervantaigh Koopman sitting quietly, reluctant to engage in pre-fight banter.
The pair will meet for the WBA intercontinental junior middleweight belt and the language from both suggests it will be a fan-friendly fight.
“I’ve waited for this opportunity all year,” said Canada’s Cook, undeterred by the pressure of big fights. “I’m 38, but still one of the best. You’ll see on Saturday night. I’ve trained very hard.”
Tyler Buxton, his promoter, wasn’t buying into the talk that the travel would harm his man.
“We aren’t afraid of travelling. Brandon’s upset unbeaten fighters before, he’s fought in Kazakhstan, he’s fought in Vegas. [Koopman] is gonna be tested.”
The quietly-spoken South African is undaunted by Cook’s 26-2 record, saying it served only to make him train harder.
“Come Saturday, I’ll be the winner.”
His manager, Marco Luis, spoke of the levels required to succeed in boxing. “Shervantaigh has them all. Brandon’s no slouch, but Shervantaigh hasn’t lost a round [as a professional]. I think he’ll produce another perfect performance.”
Unusually, trainer Damian Durandt will have two boxers engaging in SA title bouts with Brandon Thysse contesting the vacant junior middleweight championship and Ntethelelo Nkosi defending his junior welterweight belt against Sanele Msimang.
Durandt is especially high on Nkosi, who has sent sparring partners packing in recent weeks such has been his fierce punching. “I believe in him, I believe he’s a future world champion. He can box, he can fight. He will become the greatest fighter to come out of Kwazulu Natal.”
With Thysse and Junior Makondo known for their relish for action, Durandt is expecting an outstanding showdown.
He says this fight has been elevated by Thysse’s familial link, his late father Andre having won national honours at super middleweight.
“I’d like to make this part of my legacy,” said Brandon himself. “I’m ready for anything Makondo brings.”
With an array of boxers in the room, among them ex-champion Ryno Liebenberg, IBO kingpin Ricardo Malajika, Beavan Sibanda, Juan Alberts, Morgan Hunter and Hall of Famer Brian Mitchell, the excitement four days out was palpable.
Words will soon give way to deeds. A thrilling night beckons.
