Though revenge is a dish best served cold, Ryno Liebenberg is only too glad to get the opportunity to deliver it to Enrico Koelling hot.
Liebenberg will square up to his German "conqueror" on the bill of Golden Gloves Promotions’ Thunder and Lightning tournament at Emperors’ Palace on February 4, just four months after they first fought.
Back in October, the 32-year-old South African lost his IBO light-heavyweight scrap on a ‘controversial’ split points decision in Neubrandenburg, Germany. Now “The Lion” is chomping at the bit for the opportunity to prove he actually won the initial clash.
“Big ups to Koelling for bringing the fight here,” Liebenberg said at the tournament media launch on Thursday. “I’m not going to leave it to the judges this time. I’m going for a knockout. Last time, I threw 1181 punches to his 309 but they declared him the winner.”
For a guy who's just done 12 rounds, that virtually unmarked face tells the whole story @Rynothelion #highwayrobbery pic.twitter.com/BnOLvVd0TJ
— Rodney Berman (@GoldenGlovesSA) October 2, 2016
It is a decision that left trainer Colin Nathan flabbergasted: “I’ve been in the sport for a long time, but I can safely say it is the most controversial decision I’ve ever had to endure. (That fight) was not even close. But come February 4 we will definitely get the decision.”
Besides the confidence in his boxer, Nathan is also encouraged by the composition of the judges, after GGP announced that the panel will be made up of a South African, German and a neutral.
Let me put it on Twitter record and say I thought the decision with my fighter @Rynothelion in Germany on Saturday was terrible. #Boxing
— Colin Nathan (@ColNomakanjani) October 4, 2016
The Liebenberg/Koelling clash is one of three high profile contests that make up the five-fight bill.
High-flying Kevin Lerena will be out to continue raising his profile at the venue where he captured the Super Four Cruiserweight title recently when he takes on Nambia’s Vikapita Meroro while Hekkie Budler goes in search of a fourth title against Joey Canoy for the vacant IBO light flyweight title.
Said Budler of his Filipino foe: “I’ve been monitoring his fights on television so I know his tactics. He is good, but I am ready for this. I have been training very hard.”
Lerena knows he has a tough fight ahead of him against a fighter who narrowly lost out to Isaac Chilemba in the past.
“He is a tenacious guy so I won’t take him lightly. But we know how to beat him.”
Also on the bill are Thulani Mbenge, groomed for stardom and light heavyweight prospect Rowan Campbell.