Rowan Campbell returns to the ring after two years
Boxing fans across Africa can look forward to some of the best combat sport action when ESPN Africa Boxing 21 takes place in Johannesburg on the evening of Thursday 22 September 2022, in collaboration with KOODOO.co.za and Play.co.za.
Sanctioned by Boxing South Africa (BSA), the main event for the evening will be a 12-round fight for the SA Flyweight Title between Jackson Chauke (21-2-1) and Sinethemba Kotana (8-2-2). Chauke, known as “M3”, comes into the clash on the back of a TKO win over Mustafa Mkupasi in ESPN Africa Boxing 19 in July, a victory which secured him the vacant Africa Boxing Union (ABU) Flyweight title. Kotana, meanwhile, is on a three-fight winning streak by having overcome Mogale Molefe, Lebogang Pilane and Sihle Jelwana in the past year, setting himself up for a shot at the national title.
The co-main event will see a battle for the SA Mini Flyweight Title between Bangile Nyangani (21-1-1) and Gaveni Nkwenteni (6-3-1). The former holds the championship belt and his trainer, Alan Toweel, has primed him to rack up a fifth straight win and potentially extend his unbeaten streak to 10 matches. “Bangile is currently rated number seven in the World Boxing Association, ninth in the International Boxing Federation, 13th in the World Boxing Organisation and 15th in the World Boxing Council world boxing ratings,” Toweel explained. “A win for him would elevate him further up the world rankings,” he added.
The rest of the main card features a Super Middleweight clash over eight rounds between Patrick Mukala (12-2-1) and Simion Tchetha (12-5-1); a six-round Junior Middleweight match in which Darrin Rossouw (5-0-0) takes on Sheldon Schultz (4-3-0); and Rowan Campbell (12-1-0) who will end a lengthy absence from the “squared circle” with an eight-round Light Heavyweight battle against the unbeaten Luvuyo Sizani (6-0-0).
Campbell last duelled in the ring in March 2021, suffering a TKO loss to Ryno Liebenberg at Emperor’s Palace in a match for the BSA, IBO All Africa and WBA Pan African Super Middleweight titles. “I am feeling good,” said Campbell ahead of his much-anticipated return. “I am keen and ready. I have been training the whole time. I am excited to get back inside the ring and do what I love. I am not going to make any predictions against Luvuyo. The guys from the Eastern Cape know how to box, but I am boxing to win. I want to prove myself,” he concluded.
The fight card for this event, is as follows:
MAIN EVENT
Main event: SA Flyweight Title (12 Rounds): Jackson Chauke (21-2-1) v Sinethemba Kotana (8-2-2)
Co-main: SA Mini Flyweight Title (12 Rounds): Bangile Nyangani (21-1-1) v Gaveni Nkwenteni (6-3-1)
Light Heavyweight (8 Rounds): Rowan Campbell (12-1-0) v Luvuyo Sizani (6-0-0)
Super Middleweight (8 Rounds): Patrick Mukala (12-2-1) v Simion Tchetha (12-5-1)
Junior Middleweight (6 Rounds): Darrin Rossouw (5-0-0) v Sheldon Schultz (4-3-0)
UNDER CARD
Jnr Middleweight (4 Rounds): Cayden Truter (5-0-0) v Nkululeko Mdletshe (0-0-1)
Super Lightweight – 4 Rounds Ntethelelo Nkosi (4-1-0) v Kiaku Lence Ngoy (3-1-0)
Featuring a diverse range of the continent’s boxing talent, the ESPN Africa Boxing events that take place on the last (or second last) Thursday of every month, are televised to an audience of up to 60 million homes across Africa and Latin America. The action starts at 19:00 (CAT) on ESPN (DStv 218, Starsat 248), SABC Sport and selected international broadcasters including ESPN across Latin America, as well as a highlights package in TKO (SABC 2, Fridays at 21:30).
How to tune in:
ESPN: DStv 218, Starsat 248
SABC Sport
- All times are stated in CAT / SAST.
- Schedule subject to change
For updates regarding ESPN Africa Boxing and other sports, fans can connect to @ESPNAfrica on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or visit https://www.espn.com/.
