There is some bad news, but also lots of good news.
The bad news is that South African junior middleweight champion, Shervantaigh Koopman has injured his elbow causing the card earmarked for 5 November to be postponed to 10 December. Koopman would have faced Zimbabwe’s Brendon Denes.
“We have a responsibility towards Emperor’s Palace, Supersport, our sponsors and the fans to present high quality events and with Koopman’s injury we thought it better to postpone the whole card. However, the two main fights will simply move to the new date,” said Rodney Berman.
The good news is that the December card has just become much bigger with Roarke Knapp and Brandon Thysse added to the mix.
Knapp will face a stern test when he meets the current NABF junior middleweight champion, Dante “Crazy” Jardon from Mexico in a ten round international contest.
The well-traveled Jardon is fresh off a unanimous decision victory over undefeated Artem Oganesyan in Canada. Last year, he scored a ninth-round knockout in the UK over another undefeated fighter, Anthony Tomlinson to win the IBO intercontinental title. With 25 knockouts included in his 35-8 record, the Mexican can punch and has a history of shattering the dreams of hot prospects.
Golden Gloves promised Brandon Thysse another shot after his war with Roarke Knapp, and he will get just that when he takes on the division’s danger man, Cristiano Ndombassy. After nearly tipping over the apple cart against Roarke Knapp, Ndombassy has scored a tenth-round stoppage of Junior Makondo in his last fight. With time to prepare and some activity behind him, Ndombassy will be a very live underdog indeed. Thysse, for his part, will be eager to show that he is still a force to be reckoned with.
Koopman should be ready to go in December against the 9-2 Denes. Like Jordan, Denes too has been around the world, putting up respectable performances in his only two losses which came on the road in India and Russia. Koopman will be eager to continue his hot streak, but Denes may have something to say about that.
Also on the bill, will be the cruiserweight rubber match between Johnny Muller and Akani Phuzi. Phuzi looked impressive under new trainer Damien Durand, and it is make or break for him. If he fails to avenge his only two defeats against Muller, it is difficult to see where he will go.
Stacked with all-action warriors and dangerous punchers, December 10th looks certain to deliver!
