Boxing is Back!

Thursday, September 17, 2020

With level 2 and 1 easing sports restrictions, Emperors Palace in Kempton Park is proud to announce the return of championship boxing to the Palace of Dreams. Partnering with Golden Gloves and Supersport, the first tournament since the COVID-19 pandemic changed the world is dubbed Back 4 Battle and will be a live, televised event with no live audience, exclusive to Supersport.

‘It’s been a tough time for our fighters, but life must go on. In this new normal we’ve had to adapt and we feel now is the time to once again showcase the local boxing talent we have in the Golden Gloves stable,’ says Rodney Berman CEO of Golden Gloves. ‘All our fighters will go through rigorous testing and then be  in isolation at Emperors Palace for two weeks before the tournament. The health and safety of our fighters, their trainers and all the officials are most important to us.’

The tournament will be live on Supersport Action on 10 October from 19h30 and will feature the final of the 4@War competition. The final sees Brandon Thysse face Boyd Allen for WBA Pan African Middleweight title in a much anticipated fight that has had both fighters staying fit during this lockdown period.

‘We’ve been waiting for this final for a long time, and both Brandon and Boyd have been working hard at their fitness during these restrictive times. With the Junior Middleweight title on the line, this is going to be an explosive fight,’ states Berman.

Other fights on the bill include: Roarke Knapp facing Tristan Truter in a Junior Middleweight clash which will determine third and fourth place for 4@ War. Chris Thompson takes on Akani Phuzi in a SA Cruiserweight match up, and the first of the “Last Man Standing” fights, while the WBA Pan African Welterweight Title will be on the line when Erik Kapia squares off against Jabulani Makhense.

Back 4 Battle is an outstanding and the first boxing tournament on both Supersport and at the Palace of Dreams in over 10 months and is a welcome return. ‘We’re always seen ourselves as the home of boxing in South Africa and are partnership with Golden Gloves is something we’re immensely  proud of. We’re looking forward to Back 4 Battle and it’s no doubt going to be another cracker of a tournament!’ says Emperors Palace Complex Manager Clive Tavener.

Back 4 Battle is taking place at Emperors palace on 10 October at 19h30 and will be televised live on Supersport Action.