Anson Wainwright
RingMagazine.com
Uisma Lima vs. Shervantaigh Koopman Collide on May 31 in Kempton Park
Junior middleweight Uisma Lima will put his IBO title on the line when he faces Shervantaigh Koopman at Emperors Palace, Kempton Park, South Africa on May 31.
The headline event of the Golden Gloves promotion will pit two fighters who are looking to gatecrash the world scene in the stacked 154-pound division.
“He’s a good fighter, he’s a pressure fighter,” Koopman told The Ring. “I’m the challenger, so I’ve got to bring everything I’ve got.”
Lima (13-1, 9 knockouts) turned professional, aged 26, in 2019. The Angola-born boxer won his first 10 fights before tasting defeat for the first time against unbeaten Aaron McKenna (UD 10) in the UK.
The 32-year-old has bounced back with a vengeance beating Araik Marutjan (UD 8) and then unbeaten pair Haro Matevosyan (RTD 10) and, most recently, Sukhdeep Singh Bhatti (UD 12). What made all three wins even more impressive was it that he fought his opponents in their home countries, so he won’t be overawed traveling to South Africa.
Koopman (15-0, 10 KOs) also turned professional a little later, at 24, in 2018. The 30-year-old South African was something of a secret for a while, claiming the national title and making three defenses.
Last year, Koopman received a push and made the step into international class when beat the tough Wendy Toussaint (UD 10) and, last time out, Brandon Cook (TKO 5).
Meanwhile, in chief support world-rated strawweight Siyakholwa Kuse will look to add some international experience when he meets former world title challenger Samuel Salva.
Kuse (8-2-1, 4 KOs), rated at No. 9 by The Ring at strawweight, turned professional at just 14, in 2018. In only his fourth fight, he unsuccessfully fought Xolisa Magusha (UD 12) for the national title. In his next fight, he beat Sibusiso Bandla (KO 5) to win the national title but lost it to Bangile Nyangani (MD 12) but has since avenged the loss by 12-round unanimous decision.
The 21-year-old southpaw has since levelled up by winning the African title and in his last fight won an exciting fight with previously unbeaten Beaven Sibanda (MD 12).
Salva (21-2, 14 KOs) has been a professional since 2016. He was highly touted in Filipino circles, winning his first 17 fights, impressively beating Rene Mark Cuarto (UD 12) in an IBF eliminator.
However, in his next fight he was stopped by countryman Pedro Taduran (RTD 4) for the vacant IBF title. Salva’s activity slowed down and when he stepped back into world class, he beaten by former WBC titlist Yudai Shigeoka (UD 10). The 28-year-old did return to the win column with a low-level win in January.
It will also mark the final of Rising Titans when Bryan Thysse (6-0, 2 KOs) and Michael Head (3-1-1, 1 KO) collide for the vacant South African light heavyweight title and a 250,000 Rand (around $13,500 USD) purse for the winner.
Thysse beat Head by four-round split decision in December 2022
Bonginkosi Nhlapo (3-2-1, 1 KO) and Tuvia Wewege (5-3), the losing semi-finalists will also square off.
This is also a rematch, Nhlapo previously beat Wewege by six-round split decision in October 2024.
Standout female amateur boxer Sarrah Karrien is also tabbed to make his debut.
Questions and/or comments can be sent to Anson at elraincoat@live.co.uk and you can follow him on
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