Brandon Thysse has thrown thousands of left hooks in sparring and in fights, but none as sweetly – or as savage – as the one that banged out Roarke Knapp in the ninth round of their compelling headline fight at Emperors Palace on Saturday night.
With a variety of honours on the line, it was Thysse who underscored his championship credentials with a performance that was equal parts smart, technical and clinical.
The talented junior middleweight has often blown hot and cold, but this was a career best performance that finally revealed his skills in full bloom. His composure, choice of shots and command of the ring were first class on a night when it finally all came together.
Knapp, to be fair, had his moments in making this a trilogy to treasure. He brought pressure and power – he decked Thysse with a glancing shot in the seventh – but ultimately he was undone by carelessness.
When SA champion Thysse saw an opening in the ninth, he pounced like a hellcat, throwing a meaty left hook to the body that reverberated across the casino venue. As Knapp went down in agony, it was evident his fight was over. Thysse, meanwhile, wore an expression of unbridled joy.
The years of sacrifice and sweat culminated in the night of his life, his efforts at winning “Sole Survivor” swelling his bank account by a record R1-million and, more importantly, confirming him as Africa’s number one junior middleweight.
Earlier, his sibling Bryan emerged triumphant after a terrific scrap against Gerhard Thysse that saw him make a successful defence of his South African light heavyweight title.
In an early contender for SA Fight of the Year, Bryan somehow kept his cool against his cousin, who fought like an oncoming freight train, all pressure and unrelenting.
Defence wasn’t a notable feature of the 12-rounder as the two flailed at one another like the desperate men they were. Familial ties were parked as the pair went at it hard, the action ebbing and flowing to the capacity crowd’s content.
Gerhard was docked a point in the 10th round for use of his head, but the deduction had no real bearing on the outcome, which saw Bryan win via split decision: 116-111, 115-112 and 113-114.
Acknowledging their extraordinary efforts, Golden Gloves promptly threw in a bonus R10 000 for the pair, due reward for a memorable scrap.
In heavyweight action, Jose Kadima preserved his unbeaten record, but had to go the distance for just the second time against crafty, cagey Mateus Munhoz Da Penha of Brazil.
Kadima was the aggressor throughout, unloading with his heavy right hand, but the visitor was slick and risk-averse, at times often making for a frustrating fight.
Kadima had his man in trouble in the third, but the Brazilian weathered the storm and kept his level of engagement low, making Kadima work hard for the eight-round victory. Scores were 79-73, 78-74 and 78-74.
Ethan Peters, meanwhile, produced a crushing right hand to the side of Fredy Mwakityoma’s head in the first round that settled matters quickly.
Peters took his time, demonstrating patience, and then began blasting away. Even when he had the Malawian in trouble, he picked his shots carefully and smartly avoided going wild.
At just 19 years of age, Peters looks to be a fine prospect who will doubtless be matched with precision over the next few months. He’s a long way off the finished article, but his size, his instincts and his power suggest a high ceiling.
Earlier, Monica Mkandla overwhelmed Thema Zuma over six rounds in their bantamweight showdown. The Zimbabwean won every round against the feisty South African and proved she deserves a turn in higher company.
And featherweight prospect Sanele Sogcwayi was given a decent workout by Tomas Shifiona of Zimbabwe. The slick South African southpaw was given few problems as he picked up a tidy points win (77-74, 79-72 and 79-72) against a capable but outworked opponent.
ABOUT GOLDEN GLOVES
Golden Gloves is South Africa’s premier boxing promotions company, renowned for delivering world-class events that showcase the best of African and international talent. With a proud legacy, spanning decades, Golden Gloves has been at the forefront of shaping the local boxing scene, producing champions who have competed on the global stage. Driven by passion, professionalism, and innovation, the company continues to elevate the sport by creating unforgettable fight nights that blend athletic excellence with entertainment value.
From nurturing rising prospects to staging headline bouts, Golden Gloves is committed to growing boxing’s reach and inspiring the next generation of fighters and fans. With a reputation for integrity and excellence, the company partners with broadcasters, sponsors, and venues to bring audiences closer to the action. Golden Gloves remains dedicated to building the future of boxing in South Africa while honouring the sport’s rich tradition.
SUPPLIED.
