Top trainer tips Thysse to dethrone champ Koopman
Lerena says hungrier fighter will end it all
Top boxing trainer Peter Smith and his charge Kevin Lerena cannot predict the outcome of the must-see shootout between reigning South African junior-middleweight champ Shervontaigh Koopman and mandatory challenger Brandon Thysse, which will take place at Emperors Palace on Saturday evening.
They were interviewed by Brian Mitchell – the former WBA and IBF junior-lightweight world champion – who is a spokesperson for Golden Gloves, which will stage this bout and many others.
Mitchell will also be giving a blow-byblow account on the fight. He is a boxing commentator for SuperSport, which will air this bout and others live from 7pm.
Smith said: “You know Shervontaigh is a young hungry up and coming guy, he’s got a lot of tests to accomplish and I think this is one of them.
“Thysse is a real warrior; I’ve got to give it to him. I’ve seen that guy’s career and he’s shocked me with things he’s done and overcome. I mean when he fought Bulldog [Nkululeko Mhlongo] at that time, that was an insane fight... he’s a true warrior; that’s one thing you get from him; he’s going to give the best of himself.”
Thysse – then a novice of eight stoppages in nine wins – gave Mhlongo hell in the early rounds before being finally overwhelmed with skill, experience and power in the 10th round in 2017.
Lerena said: “I think like Peter said, it is a big hurdle for both to overcome; I do believe Brandon has faced this mountain before; fighting Nkululeko Mhlongo, a fight he should not have taken at that point in his career.
“Having said that, Koopman from what I heard, to be honest I’ve not watched him that much. From what I heard he’s doing really well in the gym and is sparing well and he can turn it up.
“That makes it a great fight. Brandon is a dug in. I am fan of his. I really enjoyed his last fight. It’s going to be a hard fight – it’s a 50-50 fight. In my honest opinion, it’s hard to call.
“If I must stick my neck out I am going to say Thysse. In defence of Koopman, I have not watched him but I heard he’s looking good in the gym, so I will not be surprised if he takes this fight too.”