ALL the boxes were ticked for the last big boxing tournament of the year when the much-anticipated Southpaw Showdown tournament took centre stage over the weekend.
The tournament was presented by Golden Gloves Promotions in conjunction with Emperors Palace and took place on Saturday, October 22.
Kevin Lerena paved his way through in the main fight against the unbeaten Micki Nielsen from Denmark to not only win the fight but also his biggest purse money in his short career as a professional boxer. The 24-year old Lerena, fighting out of the Peter Smith gym in Fourways, won the Super Four title by approaching the hard-hitting Nielsen on a very cautious note and taking the fight away from him. Lerena won on a point’s decision by the judges 97/93, 96/95, 95/95 in the international cruiserweight contest over 10 rounds.
Both boxers came to the ring knowing what the other had in store for him. It was Lerena’s game plan that by times frustrated Nielsen as he was tied up by his counterpart to limit his punches. At the end the effectiveness of Lerena’s work rate allowed him to just get his nose in front of Nielsen and apply his skills wisely to notch up the win.
The fight of the night should go to Hekkie Budler when he gave a boxing lesson to his opponent from the Eastern Cape, Siyabonga Siyo, to capture the WBA Pan African junior flyweight belt on a point’s decision by the judges 118/110, 116/112, 116/112. Budler was back at his ever-best, again displaying the finesse of his skills and making up for his shocking loss against Byron Rojas from Nicaragua, losing his world titles.
A relentless Budler softened up Siyo from start to finish and never gave him the opportunity to counterattack. Budler’s right hand was working overtime and rocked Siyo to his heels time and again.
Chris van Heerden made his way back home for the fight against Sacky Shikukutu from Namibia and clinched the WBA Pan African welterweight title. He won on a point’s decision by the judges 117/111, 117/111, 118/110.
Van Heerden had to pave his way through the fight, eliminating the onslaught of Shikukutu by times, but in the end he proved his worth and his confidence grew towards the end of the contest. Van Heerden, who now lives in Santa Monica, California, USA, has gained experience abroad in the two years living there and applied it well to shake off Shikukutu to take home the title.
Opening the evening’s proceedings, DeeJay Kriel took on Nyelisani Thagamega in a Gauteng minimumweight title fight over 10 rounds. Kriel recorded a TKO in the fifth round 2:58 and showed his true colours to beat his opponent in the rematch.
Making his debut in the junior middleweight, Nathan Hammond won a third-round TKO over Zama Dludlu in the third round 2:59.
The Christmas Cracker Box ‘n Dine will take place on Thursday, December 1 at Emperors Palace presented by AfricanRing. Contact Jeff Ellis to book your seats 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.
