Boxing in South Africa is experiencing a period of revival, supported by the activities of Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP), founded by former world champion Kevin Lerena. ABP is implementing high bonus incentives at tournaments such as Knockout Chaos 2, which is taking place in Sandton.
The author first covered this sport in 2010 when young Flo Simba was named a future star after his professional debut a year earlier. Although Simba won the IBO Youth World Champion title in heavyweight in 2011, his career did not reach world level. After ten undefeated initial fights, he suffered four losses in the next six bouts, slowing his progress by 2012. Simba fought four more times before officially retiring in 2019.
During Simba's early rise, another promising boxer, Kevin Lerena, gained experience. After winning his first eleven fights, Lerena faced his first setback against Johnny Muller in 2014. However, from that point on, he demonstrated an impressive eight-year unbeaten streak, winning the WBC Bridgerweight and IBO Cruiserweight world titles.
Currently, 34-year-old Lerena realizes that he may be nearing the end of his fighting career. Planning for life after the ring, he launched Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP) with his wife Geraldine. As the face of ABP, Lerena personally knows the main problem facing local talent: 'Inactivity is a real killer for boxers.'
Earlier this year, ABP held its first Knockout Chaos tournament, introducing an innovative incentive—the 'knockout clock.' Under this structure, the earlier a boxer achieves a stoppage, the higher the financial reward.
Ahead of Knockout Chaos 2, which will take place at The Galleria in Sandton this Saturday, Lerena emphasized a sports-centric philosophy: 'We want to pay essentially 240,000 rand in bonuses to whoever wins in the first round. We are not afraid to do this to enrich the fighters and their teams because boxing is a very tough sport. We strive to create exciting matches that attract content, viewers, and keep the show tense—that is the essence of our strategic partnership with SuperSport.'
Among the most anticipated fights of the evening is the six-round welterweight bout between Cain Fury and Farad Mukandila. Fury noted: 'I feel good. Training has been done, and my coach has worked hard, refining many things. Both need to participate. On the 25th, I will be in good shape, I am in good shape—let's give the fans what they want and deserve for the price of their tickets.'
The main event among the eight scheduled fights will be a high-risk contest for the vacant IBO All Africa Featherweight title between Lindo Huzwayo and undefeated Sabelo Ndwandwe. Huzwayo shared his feelings: 'This is a dream come true. Coming from a rural area to KZN, I never thought I would get this far, honestly. God was great.' He added regarding the fight: 'I feel very good. I am not going to predict a knockout or anything like that, but I can promise it will be a great fight to watch.'
It cannot be denied that boxing is a brutal sport, and Lerena believes that fighters deserve proper recognition and compensation for the sacrifices they make both in training camp and in the ring. Lerena explained: 'It is one of the few sports where you are allowed—unintentionally—to kill someone. Think about it. No one really grasps it, but that is why we must respect the fighters.'
Thanks to initiatives like Knockout Chaos, Lerena and ABP appear to be doing exactly that—showing respect for athletes while simultaneously revitalizing the sport at a national level. It is a situation where everyone wins... except, of course, the contender who touches the canvas.
As part of the Knockout Chaos 2 event, taking place in Sandton this Saturday, Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP) has announced generous bonuses for quick victories. Additionally, a title fight for the IBO All Africa Featherweight between Lindo Hutswayo and Sabelo Ndwandwe is scheduled for the tournament.
ABP Ambassador, Kevin Lerena, emphasized his readiness to financially motivate fighters to achieve early finishes in the bout. He stated that they are prepared to pay around 240,000 rand to anyone who wins in the first round to enrich the athletes and their teams, as boxing is a very demanding sport.
The first Knockout Chaos event this year introduced this attractive incentive system, which rewards fighters for knockout victories. The maximum bonus for a first-round knockout is 30,000 rand, while the total prize fund decreases with each subsequent round.
Lerena added that they strive to organize exciting fights that contribute to content creation, increase viewership, and maintain excitement at the show, aligning with their strategic partnership with SuperSport.
One of the most anticipated fights of the evening will be the semifinal bout in the welterweight division between Kane Fury and Farad Mukandila, which will last six rounds. Fury noted that his preparation was successful and he is confident in the good form of both participants, wishing the fans to see a worthy contest for their tickets.
Lerena anticipated a tense clash, highlighting the serious danger both athletes face in the ring. He expressed a desire to reward either of them with a bonus, emphasizing that boxing is one of the most difficult sports in the world where it is permissible to intentionally kill a person. He expressed respect for Farad and Kane, wishing them to return home safely, but insisted that they want to see knockouts.
The central event out of eight planned bouts is the contest for the vacant IBO All Africa Featherweight title between Lindo Hutswayo and undefeated Sabelo Ndwandwe. Before this fight, Hutswayo shared his thoughts on his career, noting that it is a dream come true as he comes from a rural area in KZN.
Lerena expects another very even match between two promising fighters. He commented that it is a great match because both fighters are undefeated: Sabelo has a record of 5-0, and Lindo has 8-0 with one draw. Lerena noted that Lindo knows how to land punches, while Sabelo previously competed on ABP cards and won the Fight of the Night award three times, demonstrating his high class. He described Sabelo as a consistent, high-energy fighter who throws punches in groups, whereas Lindo is a knockout artist capable of knocking out an opponent despite a recent loss to Jeff Magagane.
Lerena concluded that these two undefeated athletes deserve recognition regardless of the outcome, as both are destined for great achievements. He thanked the promotion for featuring these fighters, as it is such matchups that sell tickets, and promised that they would meet right in the center of the ring.
