‘Lion’ wants the spoils
FORUS Thunder and Lightning boxing tournament this coming Saturday.
POPULARLY known as ‘The Lion’, Ryno Liebenberg is back on home soil after a couple of fights outside the country which, unfortunately, did not yield the results he had hoped for.
Liebenberg will be making a strong comeback to turn the tables when he faces Enrico Koelling, from Germany, in a rematch in the first big boxing tournament of the new year.
‘FORUS Thunder and Lightning’ takes place on Saturday, February 4, at Emperors Palace, presented by Golden Gloves Promotions. Boxing starts at 19:00.
Testing his career in 2016, Liebenberg, went to Stockholm, Sweden, on April 23 to meet Erik Skoglund, of Sweden, for the vacant IBO international light heavyweight title. The unbeaten Skoglund made heavy weather of the fight and Liebenberg had to return without the belt.
The hard working Liebenberg then went on to fight Enrico Koelling, the holder of the WBA intercontinental light heavyweight title, in Neubrandenburg, Germany, on October 1, 2016. He had to once again return empty handed, though by the pugilists he looked like the clear winner after twelve rounds.
Promotor Rodney Bermam, from Golden Gloves, acted swiftly and soon announced a rematch between Liebenberg and Koelling which this time will hand Colin Nathan’s boxer from Hot Box Gymnasium, in Johannesburg, the home ground advantage.
“This could put him right back into contention for big fights overseas,” said Berman. “Knowing his resolve, he’ll do it too.”
But Liebenberg and his camp have prepared to the fullest and, according to Nathan, have made a few adjustments to counter their opposition, Koelling, in order to reverse the outcome of last October.
To add to the spice of the evening’s proceedings, Berman has revealed that unbeaten welterweight Thulani Mbenge will join Kevin Lerena after February 4 in the USA, exposing him on the international front.
Mbenge is one of the prospects who will fight on the undercard. He will take on Ntuthuko Memela while the other prospect, Rowan Campbell, will be up against Fhulufhelo Ramaliba.
The main bouts of the evening will be Kevin Lerena vs Vikapita Meroro, from Namibia, for the WBC silver belt and Hekkie Budler vs Joey Canoy, of the Philippines, for the vacant IBO light flyweight title.
To book your seats, contact Jeff Ellis on 078 457 3030.
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
