South African boxing fans, brace yourselves.
On Saturday, Emperors Palace becomes the epicentre of fight fever as the “Survivor” event delivers a card so stacked that any of the top five bouts could headline on their own. This is not just another night of boxing; it’s a festival of fists, fire, and legacy to close out the year in unforgettable style.
At the heart of the spectacle lies the R2,5-million junior middleweight “Survivor” tournament, a four-man shootout guaranteed to produce fireworks.
Shervantaigh Koopman faces Brandon Thysse in a rematch loaded with intrigue. Can Koopman rebound from a crushing recent defeat, or will Thysse flip the script from their first encounter, in 2023?
On the other side of the bracket, Roarke Knapp collides with Kagiso Bagwasi. Knapp, still rebuilding after a brutal KO setback earlier this year, must prove he belongs among the elite. Bagwasi, meanwhile, has bulldozed through opponents with ruthless power. Can he step up against a hardened warrior like Knapp? The answers will shape careers and crown a survivor.
The main event is pure theatre: IBO super flyweight champion Ricardo Malajika makes the fourth defence of his crown against the Philippines’ Vince Paras.
Paras has never been stopped, but Malajika is determined to be the first man to break that streak. Expect speed, skill, and savage intent as Malajika looks to etch his name deeper into the global conversation.
Meanwhile, the heavyweight division adds its own thunder. Rising powerhouse Juan Alberts, unbeaten and unstoppable, faces Belgium’s Michael Pirotton, a rugged contender with just one loss in 10 fights.
Alberts’ size and punch power have made him South Africa’s most exciting heavyweight prospect in decades, and this test will show just how far he can go.
And then there’s the grudge match that could steal the show: DonJuan van Heerden versus Phikelelani Khumalo for the SA middleweight title, with the ABU belt also on the line.
This is personal. Van Heerden, driven by a vow to his late father, is chasing destiny. Khumalo, sharp and technical, has promised to silence his rival once and for all. With bad blood, clashing styles, and championship gold at stake, this fight has all the makings of a classic.
Promoter Rodney Berman summed the night up best: “This is the most significant South African boxing event in years. Every fight on this card could headline on its own, and the Survivor tournament adds a level of drama and danger that fans will never forget. It’s a night where reputations will be made, and some will be broken.”
Add in the glamour – celebrities ringside, the lights of Emperors Palace, and the roar of the crowd – and you have a night that will live long in memory.
Boxing starts at 7pm, and will be broadcast live on SuperSport and streamed worldwide on iME.
