Two top South African fighters Rofhiwa “War Child” Maemu and the American based Chris “The Heat” van Heerden will be involved on the most important battles of their boxing career on Saturday night.
Maemu a former World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan African featherweight champion is challenging for International Boxing Organisation (IBO) world junior lightweight crown held by Shavkatdzhon Rakhimov in Ekateringburg, The 31 year old van Heerden will lock horns with the Mexican gladiator Mohonri “Rosso Jr” Montes for non-title bout in Costa Mesa in California, US.
A victory is important for both local warriors with the Soweto based Maemu chasing his major title after winning WBA regional crown and African Boxing Union (ABU) belt, while a Meyerton born southpaw will revive his hopes of challenging for a world title in the future.
Despite champion’s ring credentials the 27 year-old Maemu was optimistic about the positive outcomes before leaving for foreign soil. “I have been working hard for this contest and I’m ready to deliver a masterpiece performance. This is a big step-up for me and I can’t let it slipper,” he said.
Rakhimov who has an impressive 13 victory on equal number of fights will make third title defence of a crown he won in November 2017 against Emmanuel Lopez. He won both his last two contests on a short route including his first title defence against Maemu compatriot and former IBF world champion Malcolm Klassen early last year.
Maemu has penciled 18 win, seven defeat and two draws
