Hammer gym trainee and Boksburg junior middleweight pugilist Tristan Truter will take on Roarke Knapp in the year’s first boxing event headlined Back 4 Battle.
Truter and Knapp will square up in the third and fourth place bout for the 4@War junior middleweight top four which got under way late last year and was scheduled for an early 2020 before the coronavirus pandemic.
Truter and a host of boxers and trainers moved into Emperors Palace this past weekend into ‘the bubble’ for what’s expected to be a week-long stay until the end of the tournament on October 10.
With coach Harold Volbrecht and his father travelling with him to the Palace, Truter told the Advertiser that he’s just adding the finishing touches to his preparations ahead of a bout he’s dubbed ‘the biggest of his career’ up to this point.
The tournament, which is organised by Golden Gloves Promotions, is scheduled to start at 6.30pm under strict conditions due to Covid-19, and will be shown live on SuperSport.
During the chat with Truter, the Advertiser asked:
How do you feel heading into the big one?
I feel strong, confident and hungry, but I would be lying if I said I did not have any nerves.
How are you dealing with the idea of being in a bubble set-up for a week at Emperors without going out?
It’s nothing I am not used to, I do this normally before a fight.
How are preparations for the fight?
Preparations are going good, as always, I’ll be going with my dad and coach Harold Volbrecht to help me.
Any possible breakthroughs after this fight with Roarke?
I am only concentrating on this fight for now.
What’s the one item you cannot travel without?
My phone and training gear.
What are you going to miss the most back home?
I’ll definitely miss home cooked meals.
The final of the 4@War top four tournament, which headline the tournament, will be contested between WBA Pan African junior middleweight champion Boyd Allen and Brandon Thysse, with the winner set to take it all, including the best junior middleweight title and a prestigious diamond ring.
Fight card:
Standby bout: SA Cruiserweight title – 8 rounds
Keaton Gomes vs Lebo Mashitoa
Bout 1: 4@War third and fourth place
Junior middleweight – 8 rounds
Roarke Knapp vs Tristan Truter
Bout 2: WBA Pan African welterweight title – 10 rounds
Jabulani Makhense vs Erik Kapia
Bout 3: WBA Pan African cruiserweight title – 10 rounds
Chris Thompson vs Akani Phuzi
Bout 4: 4@War final
WBA Pan African junior middleweight title – 10 rounds
Brandon Thysse vs Boyd Allen.
Also Read: I’m ready for Roarke – Tristan
Also Read: How Tristan Truter is coping with the lockdown
