By day, Bryan Thysse is a supervisor at a pension fund company. By night and early morning, he’s a man on a mission: to become South Africa’s light heavyweight champion.
In October, that mission reaches a boiling point as Thysse steps into the ring for the biggest fight of his career.
He’s already beaten his opponent, Michael Head, once. But Thysse knows better than to coast on past glory.
“The first result counts,” he says, “but this time, Michael’s coming back hungrier. There’s pride, two titles, and serious money on the line. He’ll be fired up, expecting revenge.”
With the “Rising Titans” final also on the line at Emperors Palace on October 4, that’s exactly what Thysse’s been preparing for, twice a day, every day. Training before sunrise and long after the workday ends, he’s grinding through a brutal camp with one goal in mind: to prove himself right.
“It’s tough,” he admits. “Balancing boxing with full-time work doesn’t leave much time for family. But
I’m improving daily. Mentally, I’m in the right place.”
And mentally is where Thysse thrives. At 28, he’s not just fighting for a belt, he’s fighting for legacy. His father Andre was a world class boxer. His brother, Brandon, is the current South African junior middleweight champion.
The Thysse name carries weight, and Bryan wears it like armour. “Every time I train or step into the ring, I feel that legacy. It’s pressure, yes, but it’s a privilege.”
Since his first bout with Head, in 2022, Thysse has racked up five wins and a draw, each one a testament to his resilience. His toughest challenge? Southpaw Tuvia Wewege. “I had to completely adjust my game. Plus, I was injured during that camp. It pushed me to the edge.”
Thysse’s amateur career was short but explosive: just nine fights in the super heavyweight division, yet he walked away a two-time South African champion and three-time Gauteng champion. Now, his sights are set higher.
“Every boxer wants to be a world champion. If I didn’t believe I could be one, I’d be in the wrong sport.”
He credits much of his growth to his trainer, Damien Durandt. “Damien’s awesome. I trust him with my life.”
And when it comes to inspiration, Thysse looks to heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, “a beast”, with unmatched footwork, and to his brother Brandon, who’s both a sparring partner and a guiding light.
Come October 4, Bryan Thysse won’t just be fighting for a title. He’ll be fighting for every early morning, every missed family moment, every drop of sweat shed in pursuit of greatness. He’s fighting for legacy. And he’ll be ready.
