I’M GOING TO KNOCK THIS GUY OUT, VOWS LIEBENBERG
WOUNDED Ryno “The Lion” Liebenberg has threatened to maul Enricko Koelling in their grudge fight at Emperors Palace in Ekurhuleni on February 4.
Liebenberg is bitter that the 26-year-old German was presented a gift – a razorthin split points decision – in their first fight in Germany in October.
There was an outcry even from German fans and media alike after two judges had declared Koelling the winner by 117-112 and 116-112 scores. The third one scored the fight 117-111 for Liebenberg and the feeling was that this judge was spot on with his ruling.
Boxing in Germany has become lottery for foreign fighters where it seems only a knockout is enough to get them the win.
Liebenberg, 32, was said to have thrown and landed more punches than his foe, and this was confirmed by Compubox.
Liebenberg’s promoter Rodney Berman has lived up to his promise to bring Koelling to South Africa.
“I am gonna knock this guy’s head off. I tried to box him in Germany and that did not work for me. That is why I want nothing this time but a clean knockout,” threatened Liebenberg, who has knocked out 12 of his 17 victims.
“I respect him for coming here, but he is going back home with a loss,” said the current SA light heavyweight champion.
“I am super fit. Preparations are going very smoothly and I have had the best sparring sessions ever with many guys, including Alfonzo Tissen (trained by Liebenberg’s former trainer Gert Strydom). I just cannot wait for February 4 to knock this guy out.”
Liebenberg, who is trained by Colin Nathan, held the IBO All Africa, same organisation’s Inter-Continental, WBC International and WBC Silver belts.
The fight will form part of Golden Gloves “Thunder and Lightning” bill that will feature Liebenberg’s stable mate Hekkie Budler.