Events in Johannesburg
Roarke Knapp Defeats Przemyslaw Zysk in 5 Rounds
Roarke Knapp, fighting at the 154-pound weight class, significantly impacted his recent bout against Przemyslaw Zysk of Poland, which took place at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa. Knapp, hailing from the nearby Johannesburg suburb of Edenvale, showcased his prowess by securing a victory over Zysk in the fifth round. This win boosted Knapp’s professional record to an impressive 17-1-1, including 12 knockouts as reported by Boxing Scene.
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From the opening bell, Knapp demonstrated his skills with several well-placed left hooks to the body, complemented by a consistent jab. He utilised his superior hand speed to land precise right crosses and left hooks, with one particularly powerful shot rattling the taller Zysk in the first round.
Knapp’s agility and lateral movement allowed him to execute two punch combinations, targeting Zysk’s head and body effectively. Zysk, to his credit, had a strong showing in the fourth round, engaging in exchanges and briefly putting Knapp on the defensive against the ropes.
However, midway through the fifth round, Knapp unleashed a combination that staggered Zysk. Shortly after that, a relentless flurry of punches sent Zysk to the canvas. Although Zysk managed to beat the count and fought back while pressed against the ropes, a right-left combination to the head prompted referee Thabo Shampool to halt the contest at 2:45.
After the fight, an elated Knapp shared his thoughts, stating, “It’s so sweet to have a victory like that, a victory all around is great, but to do it in fashion like in stopping (Zysk) in front of all these amazing people, it’s a true testament to what all the hard work is about.” Knapp, enthusiastic about his performance, expressed his determination to continue his successful run in the boxing world.
Knapp’s victory against Zysk follows his previous triumph on March 18, where he secured a unanimous decision win over Ahmed El Mousaoui. Notably, on December 10, Knapp defeated former world lightweight contender Dante Jardon over 10 rounds.
Promoted by Rodney Berman and managed by Marco Luis, Knapp has been on an impressive streak, winning his last eight bouts after a knockout loss to Brandon Thysse in November 2019. In a notable turn of events, Knapp avenged his loss to Thysse with a split decision victory on June 11 of the previous year.
On the other hand, Zysk’s record now stands at 18-2 with six knockouts. The 31-year-old had not fought since June 25 of the previous year, where he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Sam Eggington.
In the co-feature of the event, Ricardo Malajika of Johannesburg secured a unanimous decision victory over Kevin Luis Munoz. The judges’ scores were 120-108, 117-111, and 118-110 in favour of Malajika, who improved his record to 12-2 with nine knockouts. Malajika, at 25 years old, also earned the IBO world title belt at 115 pounds, and his recent win marked his fourth consecutive victory since a decision loss to Sikho Nqothole on April 9 of the previous year.
Additionally, junior middleweight Shervantaigh Koopman, hailing from Pretoria, maintained his undefeated record (12-0, 9 KOs) with a knockout victory over Brandon Thysse. The two fighters engaged in an intense battle characterised by inside fighting, showcasing impressive two and three-punch combinations. Koopman asserted his dominance in the later rounds, ultimately causing Thysse’s corner to inform referee Thabo Spampool that Thysse would not continue, sparing their fighter further punishment. Thysse, residing in Germiston, now holds a record of 15-4-1 with 12 knockouts.
This event exemplified the tenacity and skill of the participating fighters, offering an exciting night of boxing action for fans in attendance and worldwide.
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Photo: Facebook / @Roarke Knapp
