Former SA heavyweight mixed martial arts champion Danie "Pitbull" van Heerden has made a quick transition to boxing since he was licensed by Boxing SA (BSA) in March.
The brother of former SA and IBO welterweight champ Chris van Heerden knocked out Kenneth Nkosi in one round in March and drew with Chris Mabombo last month.
Van Heerden, trained by Anton Gilmore, returns to action in Eldorado Park on May 26. The giant from Meyerton will face Antonello Marre in a nursery tournament staged by Victory Sports Promotion.
Van Heerden is already rated at No 8 in national rankings.
He was stripped of his mixed martial arts belt in September due to alleged racial comments against Elvis Moyo. Van Heerden posted an image comparing Moyo to an ape and joked about their similarities.
Moyo took offence and posted a screen grab of Van Heerden's Facebook post, retorting that he did not know if that was "smack talk or blatant racism?"
Extreme Fighting Championship president Cairo Howarth stripped Van Heerden the title. He later apologised to Moyo, saying he got caught up in the hype of the fight .
Pitbull a natural in boxing ring
Former SA heavyweight mixed martial arts champion Danie "Pitbull" van Heerden has made a quick transition to boxing since he was licensed by Boxing SA (BSA) in March.
The brother of former SA and IBO welterweight champ Chris van Heerden knocked out Kenneth Nkosi in one round in March and drew with Chris Mabombo last month.
Van Heerden, trained by Anton Gilmore, returns to action in Eldorado Park on May 26. The giant from Meyerton will face Antonello Marre in a nursery tournament staged by Victory Sports Promotion.
Van Heerden is already rated at No 8 in national rankings.
He was stripped of his mixed martial arts belt in September due to alleged racial comments against Elvis Moyo. Van Heerden posted an image comparing Moyo to an ape and joked about their similarities.
Moyo took offence and posted a screen grab of Van Heerden's Facebook post, retorting that he did not know if that was "smack talk or blatant racism?"
Extreme Fighting Championship president Cairo Howarth stripped Van Heerden the title. He later apologised to Moyo, saying he got caught up in the hype of the fight .