Roarke Knapp and Kevin Lerena take on big challenges in 2023.
Golden Gloves Promotions most exciting fighter, Roarke Knapp continues his climb to the top when
he takes on Ahmed El Mousaoui of France on Saturday the 18 th of March at Emperor’s Palace in a 10
round junior middleweight contest.
The bout will headline a tournament entitled “Peril at the Palace” which will also feature South
African and IBF Continental Africa junior middleweight champion, Shervantaigh Koopman, as well as
junior bantamweight Ricardo Malajika.
Knapp has progressed well as a professional. He had a good 2022, reversing a previous loss to
Brandon Thysse in an epic war and patiently outboxing dangerous Mexican, Dante Jardon. He
showed that he is more than just a blood and guts warrior with a big punch. He also has some good
movement and boxing savvy in his toolbox.
He will need it against the much more experienced El Mousaoui who sports a very respectable 34-4-
1 record. The French veteran holds victories over former world champions, Carlos Molina and Junior
Witter and has been the European welterweight champion. He also dropped a competitive decision
to former world champion and Manny Pacquiao conqueror, Jeff Horn. His last fight was a split
decision loss against undefeated countryman, David Papot for the IBA world junior middleweight
title.
With only eight knockouts, El Mousaoui is not a big puncher, but he has solid boxing skills and has
never been knocked out. Fighting in front of a hostile crowd should not faze him either. He has been
around the world, fighting in the US, Germany, Spain, Morocco, and Australia, even scoring some
wins on the road.
Undefeated Shervantaigh Koopman is back from injury and raring to go. He will defend his national
title against Jackson Kaptein over 12 rounds. Koopman has looked the goods so far and Kaptein will
be up against it. Still, the Free State challenger scored a mild upset in his last fight, stopping Phikelani
Khumalo in two rounds. He has nothing to lose and that could make him dangerous.
Junior bantamweight, Ricardo Malajika will face a stiff challenge when he steps up to face Filipino
Adrian Lerasan over eight rounds. The 12-4 Lerasan is ranked number 10 in the world by the WBC
and is riding a five fight win streak. Three of those wins happened on the road, in Thailand no less,
where it is extremely difficult to beat the house fighter.
Malajika had his ups and downs as a pro, but promoter Rodney Berman believes in his ability. “Some
may say this is a step too far, but a win will put him on the map. I still believe in him. He is a good
fighter.”
Looking further ahead, Kevin Lerena is set to return to the ring at Emperor’s Palace on the 29 th of
April. It won’t be an easy fight either. He will face former WBA cruiserweight titlist, Ryad Merhy of
France in a WBC bridgerweight world title eliminator. Whoever prevails will be set to face the winner
of the Alen Babic-Lukasz Rozanski fight, who will meet for the vacant WBC world title. “It is good to
see a WBC eliminator back on South African soil” says Berman.
Lots of great action for boxing fans on Supersport, your Channel of Champions!
PERIL@THE PALACE
18 MARCH 2023 @19h00
10 ROUNDS – International Junior Middleweight Bout
Roarke Knapp (South Africa) vs Ahmed El Mousaoul (France)
Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy
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12 ROUNDS SA Junior Middleweight Title
Shervantaaigh Koopman (Johannesburg) vs Jackson Kaptein (Bloemfontein)
Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy
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8 ROUNDS Jnr. Bantamweight Bout
Ricardo Malajika (South Africa) vs Adrian Lerasan (Phlippines)
Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy
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4 ROUNDS Welterweight Bout
Keanu Koopman vs TBA
Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy
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4 ROUNDS Light Heavyweight Bout
Gerhard Thysse vs TBA
Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy
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4 ROUNDS Light Heavyweight Bout
Michael Head vs TBA
Brian Mitchell Boxing Academy
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