Fight fans will run helter skelter when Sacky "Izinyoka" Shikukutu and Chris "The Heat" van Heerden collide for the vacant WBA Pan African welterweight belt at Emperors Palace on Saturday, warns Namibian trainer Nestor Tobias.
The visiting boxer's nickname, Izinyoka, rings alarm bells. But it is unclear which snake he is because Namibia has about 81 lethal ones.
"Die poppe sal dans," warned Tobias, whose charge goes into the fight boasting a points win against local opponent Jason Bedemen for the interim WBO Africa belt in Namibia in June - his 22nd win against three losses.
But Van Heerden is no pushover. This former IBO holder will be making a comeback at home after a stint in California since 2013. The BSA 2008 prospect of the year winner sparred against world champions in the US, including Puerto Rican Miguel "Junito" Cotto, Mexican Saul Alvarez and Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao from the Philippines.
After losing to US 2012 Olympian Errol "The Truth" Spencer Jnr in September last year, Van Heerden bounced back in April with a majority points win over Steve Claggert.
That was his 24th win against two defeats.
Van Heerden, who has had a stint with accomplished American trainer and hall of fame inductee Freddie Roach, will make his debut under Colin Nathan, whose achievements include guiding Hekkie "Hekkie" Budler to winning the WBA Super mini flyweight belt.
Interestingly Budler will take on Siyabonga Siyo for a vacant interim WBA Pan African junior flyweight belt also on Saturday. The main contest on Saturday will be the final of the Cruiserweight Super 4 between Kevin "KO Kid" Lerena and Dane Mickie Nielsen.
The bouts will go out live on SuperSport from 8pm.
Can the Snake stand the Heat?
Fight fans will run helter skelter when Sacky "Izinyoka" Shikukutu and Chris "The Heat" van Heerden collide for the vacant WBA Pan African welterweight belt at Emperors Palace on Saturday, warns Namibian trainer Nestor Tobias.
The visiting boxer's nickname, Izinyoka, rings alarm bells. But it is unclear which snake he is because Namibia has about 81 lethal ones.
"Die poppe sal dans," warned Tobias, whose charge goes into the fight boasting a points win against local opponent Jason Bedemen for the interim WBO Africa belt in Namibia in June - his 22nd win against three losses.
But Van Heerden is no pushover. This former IBO holder will be making a comeback at home after a stint in California since 2013. The BSA 2008 prospect of the year winner sparred against world champions in the US, including Puerto Rican Miguel "Junito" Cotto, Mexican Saul Alvarez and Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao from the Philippines.
After losing to US 2012 Olympian Errol "The Truth" Spencer Jnr in September last year, Van Heerden bounced back in April with a majority points win over Steve Claggert.
That was his 24th win against two defeats.
Van Heerden, who has had a stint with accomplished American trainer and hall of fame inductee Freddie Roach, will make his debut under Colin Nathan, whose achievements include guiding Hekkie "Hekkie" Budler to winning the WBA Super mini flyweight belt.
Interestingly Budler will take on Siyabonga Siyo for a vacant interim WBA Pan African junior flyweight belt also on Saturday. The main contest on Saturday will be the final of the Cruiserweight Super 4 between Kevin "KO Kid" Lerena and Dane Mickie Nielsen.
The bouts will go out live on SuperSport from 8pm.
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