Kaine Fourie and Claudio Daneff set for explosive IBO title fight

THE HANDSHAKE was firm; the stare long but not the intimidating kind of stare down which often accompanies such encounters. Kaine Fourie and his opponent for the vacant IBO Inter-Continental lightweight title Claudio Daneff of Argentina met at the pre-fight conference for Saturday’s Aquila Boxing Promotions (ABP) Sandton Mayhem bill and there was not a hint of ‘bad blood’.

A sense of mutual respect prevailed between the two boxers who both promised to produce fireworks in Saturday evening’s featured fight on a bill teeming with potentially explosive fights.

Fourie, eager to dazzle as he chases the opportunity to fight for a world title, admitted that he will be meeting a seasoned campaigner who deserves to be taken seriously. And that much, his trainer Gert Strydom confirmed revealing they have been in training for a long time for this fight.

“The preparations have been good,” the man fondly referred to as Mr G, said: “It’s been 10 weeks of training; 250 rounds of sparring against southpaw opponents. We are up against an experienced guy. We took this leap because Kaine wants to go into a world title fight. He’s ready to fight (Daneff). He’s tired of training.”

Fourie concurred with his trainer: “Let’s go past November 1. After I win, we would like to go for the world title. I’ve watched his fights, we are in for fireworks.”

And the boxer nicknamed K9 is confident he will be the one left standing at the end of the bout – assured he will have the backing of the crowd in the arena expected to be packed to the rafters.“The crowd is always amazing, (I love fighting) when the event is full. We are in for a good fight. Claudio has a good resume and I have some titles, we will have a great fight.”

The Argentinian impressed the crowd as he spoke in English, aided by AI from his phone.

“I am well prepared. I have to win,” the man who has chalked up 27 fights said after introducing his trainer father Abel.

Promoter Kevin Lerena would obviously like his compatriot to win and has warned Fourie he is in for a big challenge.

“I’ve fought three times against fighters from Argentina and they are tough fighters, they bring it all the way. There’s a terrific fight in the offing.”

Also sure to be a super bout is the co-main event between the unbeaten Lindo Khuzwayo and Nigerian Rilwal Lawal for the IBO All Africa featherweight title. The South African is not overawed by the fact that his opponent is way more experienced than him.

“I’ve fought against boxers who had a lot more fights than me. It is a great challenge and it is building me up as a boxer.”

Also in action on the night will be the exciting and always flash Gary Van Staden and Tshegofatso Matlala while the clash of the unbeaten between Luke Hendricks and Sabelo Ndlovu sure to be a thriller.