Local Boxing fans have plenty to look forward to on Saturday night with the “Palace Knights” taking place at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg and featuring some quality bouts including Ricardo Malijika and Kevin Luis Munoz who fight for the vacant IBO Junior Bantamweight Title.
There are 6 fights on the card with the opener scheduled to get going at 19h05 and the final bout at 22h45.
Click here for betting on the full card
We focus on the final 3 fights on the card
SHERVANTAIGH KOOPMAN VS BRANDON THYSSE
South African Super Welterweight Title
Koopman is 29 years old and hails from Pretoria. He is undefeated and has had 11 fights winning all of them, 8 of which have finished inside the distance. His last fight was against Jackson Kaptein back in March and he won in the 8th round after shaking off some early rust.
Thysse is a year younger than his opponent but has had more fights and his record reads, won 15, lost 3 and drawn 1. His last fight was in December 2022 where he beat Christiano Ndombassy via unanimous decision, a good bounce back having lost to Roarke Knapp in their rematch.
This should be a close match with both fighters at pivotal points in their careers. I am happy to defer to Kevin Lerena on this one.
Kevin Lerena Pick: Thysse to win (price 7/10) – click here to bet
RICARDO MALAJIKA VS KEVIN LUIS MUNOZ
IBO World Junior Bantamweight Title
Malajika is 25 years old and fights out of Gauteng, South Africa. He has a career record of 11 wins and 3 losses and he has won his last 3 fights in a row with the most recent being a 5th round stoppage of Adrian Lerasan in March 2023.
Munoz hails from Argentina and is 24 years old. He has a pro record of 16 wins with just 1 defeat coming against Nicolas Aquino back in 2021. Since then he has reeled off 4 successive victories 3 of which came by unanimous decision.
Malajika is 4/11 to win the fight and that looks a bit short in my opinion as he fights a quality opponent who like him has plenty of ambition still.
Kevin Lerena Pick: Malajika win at 4/11
While I won’t argue with Kevin on the result I think this one goes the distance and will back Malajika to win by decision.
Bet: Method of Victory Malajika by decision at 7/2 – click here to bet
ROARKE KNAPP VS PRZEMYSLUW ZYSK
International Junior Middleweight Bout
The 25 year old Knapp fights out of Edenvale Johannesburg and he has a career record of 16 wins with 1 defeat and 1 draw. That sole defeat came against Brandon Thysse in the 7th round in 2019 but he avenged the loss in the pairs last meeting in June of 2022 when he won via split decision. His last 3 fights have all gone the distance.
Zysk hails from Poland and has a good record with 18 wins and 1 loss. That loss came in his last fight in June 2022 when he lost on points to Sam Egginton and that has been his only fight outside of Poland to date. He will carry a height and reach advantage into the ring and may well prove tough for Knapp to get to especially in the early rounds.
I get the feeling this fight is being used as a stepping stone for Knapp and he should win but there is no doubt that Zysk has a chance and could well push him all the way.
Kevin Lerena Pick: Knapp Win at 4/10
I am going to go with Kevin again but I will be betting on the Polish fighter frustrating Knapp and the South African winning on points.
Bet: Knapp win by decision at 5/2 – click here to bet
World Sports Betting have boosted Kevin Lerena’s picks including the Knapp, Malajika and Thysse treble at 5/2
Click here for Kevin Lerena’s Price Boosts
Prices correct at the time of writing but subject to change
