While the IBF dilly-dally over Golden Gloves’ petition regarding Ryno Liebenberg’s controversial last fight, promoter Rodney Berman is going in another direction.
“I can’t wait for them,” said an aggrieved Berman, revealing that Liebenberg would instead fight Faris Chevalier of Australia at Emperors Palace on June 23.
Hopes of a rematch against Vincent Feigenbutz have faded given the IBF’s deafening silence over the matter, notwithstanding the clamour for the organisation to do the right thing.
Regarded as Australia’s most avoided fighter, Chevalier lost his first pro bout, but has since gone on a 10-fight winning streak, capturing the national title in the process.
The man they call “The Fox” emigrated from France after falling in love with Australia during a scuba diving holiday. The Paris-born southpaw has since built up a solid fan base and a reckoning as a dangerous fighter on the rise.
“He looks useful,” said Liebenberg’s trainer, Colin Nathan. “Let’s see whether he can live with Ryno, who is always keen to put youngsters in their place.”
Mexico’s Oziel Santoyo (7-1) is another addition to the card and will be pitched in against unbeaten Rowan Campbell for the IBO’s Youth title.
The puncher won five fights on the bounce last year and will be looking to claim his first international scalp in Campbell, who is raw but showing much promise after just six pro bouts.
