Ryno Liebenberg is as earthy as they come and isn’t in the habit of over-hyping his fighters.
So when he talks up the claims of rookie pro Jared Hensberg, it’s best to pay attention.
“Pound for pound, he’s the hardest puncher I’ve ever come across in boxing. He generates power like no one’s business,” says the former SA light heavyweight champion whose gym on the western side of Johannesburg is growing all the time.
Hensberg makes his professional debut at Emperors Palace on July 5. From his early days boxing for Gauteng out of the Witpoortjie Vikings Amateur Boxing Club, his talent was undeniable. But it was Liebenberg who put his capabilities into stark perspective, saying he even spars heavyweights – with few problems.
Hensberg’s journey to the pros has been anything but straightforward. At 23, he was set to get his professional licence, but illness and a lack of focus sidelined him. Now, at 25, he’s ready. And when he recently stepped into the ring for sparring ahead of his licence approval, he didn’t just impress, he knocked out his opponent in 20 seconds.
“He’s got his act together,” says Liebenberg. “He can box and bang, but he’s still raw.”
Liebenberg himself learned about Hensberg the hard way. Having heard whispers of his power, he stepped into the ring with the youngster, expecting nothing extraordinary. What followed changed everything.
After absorbing a booming left hook, followed by a bomb of a right hand, Ryno knew this wasn’t normal sparring etiquette. He decided to test the youngster, hitting back with force. Hensberg wasn’t used to that kind of pushback. Liebenberg then hurt him in the third round.
The lesson was learned, and from there, a mutual respect was born.
Today, Hensberg is feared among local wannabes, his name passed around among those wary of his natural punching power. Despite being a cruiserweight, he spars effortlessly with bigger fighters.
“If he lands on you, you’re in a world of trouble,” warns Liebenberg.
Yet, with all the firepower at his disposal, the key now is control; harnessing the power without letting it run wild. Liebenberg knows the challenge is keeping him level-headed, but he remains excited about his protégé’s future: “He can box, but he’s not a boxer. He’s a puncher who can box, and he’s exciting.”
In a South African boxing scene that lacks pure punchers, Hensberg’s arrival promises fireworks. If he delivers the knockouts many expect, the hometown crowd will rally behind him.
This isn’t just a debut. It’s the start of something special.
