×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Catchweight clash will test unbeaten SA champions

SA light-heavyweight champ Nicholas Radley, left, and SA super-middleweight holder Rowan Campbell will be in action at Emperors Palace on Saturday night.
SA light-heavyweight champ Nicholas Radley, left, and SA super-middleweight holder Rowan Campbell will be in action at Emperors Palace on Saturday night.
Image: James Gradidge

A battle for boxing supremacy will take place between two SA champions - super-middleweight holder Rowan "Braveheart" Campbell and light-heavyweight titlist Nicholas "The Natural" Radley - at Emperors Palace on Saturday night.

But their belts will not be at stake in their catchweight fight (weight agreed upon by the two) over 10 rounds. The two are undefeated in their young and promising careers.

Campbell, 25, from Melville in Johannesburg, holds both the domestic and IBO All Africa super-middleweight belts, while 27-year-old Radley, from Cape Town, reigns supreme as the light-heavyweight king.

Campbell showed a great deal of mental maturity when he overcame heavy odds against hard-hitting Congolese Patrick Mukala in August.

The South African boxed brilliantly behind his jab, pressured his foe and did not allow him space to unload his right hand that had left 10 of his 11 opponents counting stars.

In the end Campbell prevailed via a seventh-round stoppage, which was his seventh in 11 wins.

Radley, who made his debut in 2015, first won the WBF African title in 2017 and added the national title in September last year.

Radley - a tall former rugby player and mixed martial arts fighter - last fought in June when he retained the national title with stoppage of Frank Rodriquez.

Radley has got power but lacks time in the ring, having stopped eight of his nine victims in double-quick time. This may count against him.

This bout will form part of Golden Gloves' tournament that features the semifinal of the middleweight blockbuster series. Roarke Knapp will take on Brandon Thysse while Tristan Trutter will face Boyd Allen. The winners will meet in the final next year.

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.