Looselaw thrives on a slap in the face
When he is not working, training or fighting, he enjoys camping, fishing and spending time with his girlfriend and children.
Johan ‘Looselaw’ van Vuuren from Beyers Park is determined to impress as a slap fighter on an international level.
The 34-year-old is making his mark in the sport and was recently selected to participate in UFC president Dana White’s Power Slap League in Las Vegas.
Slap fighting is where two opponents stand at arm’s length from each other and take turns slapping each other in the face.
“Every slap fighter gets the opportunity to slap their opponent. Some of the most important rules are that you are not allowed to slap against the neck or ear.
“You must also keep your face still when being slapped. Every winner gets three chances to slap his opponent, with a knockout determining the winner,” explained the former Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen learner.
Johan, a site manager, has always had a passion for contact sports.
“I played rugby my whole life and I enjoyed boxing and white-collar boxing before I got into the slap fight. I saw the hype over slap fighting and one of my friends challenged me to do it.
“I love the sport because it is a different ball game. You have to be able to stand and take what you hand out. The people in the sport become family. We slap the living daylight out of each other and still have a drink together afterwards.”
A highlight for him was when he beat his last opponent, Soon St James, by knockout in The Ultimate Slapfight SA at Presleys Nightclub on October 29.
“The feeling on that stage is something you can’t explain to anyone. There’s an Ultimate Slapfight SA event every two to three months with smaller events that will start happening every month for newcomers to join the sport and earn their stripes to fight in the Ultimate Slapfight events.”
The slap fighter is training at Rocksolid Boxing and Fitness in Benoni.
“You have to get your jaw and neck as strong as possible to be able to take the hits. To give a slap also uses your whole body and a perfect technique, so I still do my boxing training. I’m just focusing more on my back, forearm and shoulder muscles. I also have to do a lot of technique exercises.
“My boxing coach is Danie van Heerden and Robert Krisch is also guiding me.”
Even though Johan is working hard to make a name for himself on an international level, he is in need of sponsors to make his Las Vegas dream a reality.
“I need to get enough sponsors to get my visa sorted. I will participate in the league as soon as my visa is sorted out.
“I would like to thank my sponsors that are already on board, Engineeric Solutions, Alulatech Engineers, Everlast SA for giving me all the equipment I need to train, Globe Core Industries, Citywagen, Boeries Towing, Man Up Rum and Global Airbrakes.”
Johan looks up to slap fighter Bobby Krisch.
His next fight is against an opponent from Congo next year. More information about the fight can’t be divulged yet.
If you can assist the slap fighter to get to Vegas, contact him on 060 468 4686.
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