Scales tipped in Barries’ favour
Van Rooyen set to turn up the heat on inexperienced Phethani
If longevity and statistics determine the outcome of a boxing match, then there is no doubt that Barend “Barries” van Rooyen will be crowned the new SA middleweight champion on Saturday.
The 39-year-old Gauteng champion from Boksburg – who has been around as a professional boxer since 1998 with 25 wins, five losses and two draws – will take on overmatched Yanga Phethani for the vacant SA middleweight belt at Kempton Park Indoor Arena.
Their bout will headline the bill to be organised jointly by Real Steel and White Buffalo Promotions.
The nine-bout card has been dubbed “Turn up the Heat”, something that Van Rooyen is set to turn on against the relatively inexperienced East Londoner.
Phethani has only fought 69 rounds in 14 bouts with 12 wins, a loss and a draw, while Van Rooyen has boxed 220 rounds.
Van Rooyen has just teamed up with Damien Durandt.
The right-hander drew his last eightrounder with Ben Sheedy in Manchester, UK, on November 10.
Phethani was unsuccessful in his first attempt to win a national title when he succumbed in four rounds to SA junior middleweight reigning champion Nkululeko Mhlongo in 2013.
Meanwhile, Brandon Thysse will make a comeback following his six-round stoppage loss to Mhlongo in September.
Thysse will take on Aphiwe Myoyo over six rounds, while recently crowned Gauteng flyweight champion Jackson Chauke will take on Zolile Miya over six rounds.
Action will begin at 7pm. Thabiso “The Rock” Mchunu and Koos
●
Sibiya lost in their fights in the United States and Tanzania respectively. Mchunu lost to WBC International cruiserweight champion Constantin Bejenaru, while Sibiya lost to Ibrahim Class for the Global Boxing Council junior lightweight title.
‘‘ Phethani was unsuccessful in his attempt to win a national title in 2013