Golden Gloves has set the stage for one of the most lucrative and high-stakes domestic tournaments in recent memory, launching the junior middleweight “Survivor” series.
With a massive R2,5-million total purse, the winner of the 2026 final is slated to pocket 60 percent of a R1,2-million prize pot.
The brutal path to that final begins immediately with two electrifying semifinals on November 29 at Emperors Palace.
The tournament is a true test of endurance: four men enter, but only the two semifinal winners advance directly to the lucrative 2026 showdown.
Semifinal 1: Koopman v Thysse, the grudge match reloaded
The premier matchup sees a highly anticipated rematch between Shervantaigh Koopman (15-1) and Brandon Thysse (18-4-1). Koopman previously defeated Thysse via an eighth-round technical knockout, but the narrative has shifted dramatically since. Koopman has experienced his own defeat since their initial encounter, while Thysse, now the reigning South African champion, is described as focused and “much improved” under his new camp.
Thysse, who has openly spoken about past mental distractions hindering his performance, enters this bout with clear motivation for both revenge and the prize money. Koopman, who has successfully campaigned at the WBA Intercontinental level, must prove that his previous victory was based on superior skill, not Thysse’s circumstances.
This fight is a true crossroads: a battle for redemption and division supremacy.
Semifinal 2: Knapp’s comeback v Bogwasi’s momentum
The second semifinal offers a compelling clash of styles and careers: Roarke Knapp (18-3-1) against Botswana’s dangerous southpaw, Kagiso Bogwasi.
Knapp, a powerful puncher and former African Boxing Union champion, is in critical rebuilding mode following a devastating KO loss earlier in 2025. He needs a definitive victory to prove his durability and confirm his standing among the division’s elite.
His opponent, Bogwasi (who has an impressive 72,22% KO ratio), is arguably the most dangerous floater in the tournament. Bogwasi recently shocked the division by stopping Boyd Allen to claim the IBO All-Africa title. The aggressive, left-handed threat of Bogwasi provides a perfect, high-risk test for Knapp’s recovery. Bogwasi has the momentum, while Knapp has the desperate need to win.
With the biggest prize in South African junior middleweight boxing history awaiting the eventual champion, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Expect nothing less than fireworks as the four junior middleweights fight to survive on November 29.
