Other Sport
Van Heerden to meet Hatton
2012-08-02 18:17
Johannesburg - South Africa's IBO welterweight champion, Chris "The Heat" van Heerden, will fight England's Matthew Hatton in February.
Showpony Promotions announced on Thursday that Van Heerden and Hatton would meet on their "Rumble on the Rocks" programme, which will held in honour former President Nelson Mandela.
Earlier it had been revealed that five-time former world heavyweight title-holder Evander Holyfield and current WBF heavyweight champion Michael Grant would be among those taking part in four-round exhibitions.
All Black rugby star Sonny Bill Williams had also been earmarked for an exhibition.
Although without the charisma and stature of his elder brother, Ricky Hatton, the match-up between Matthew Hatton and Van Heerden indicates the programme will include some serious boxing as well.
And, perhaps, more intriguing than the participation of Hatton is that of Van Heerden, who has up till now been one of the brightest lights in Golden Gloves' stable of fighters.
Showpony announced that Van Heerden had been released from his contract with Golden Gloves without any further explanation.
Damian Michael, the Showpony chief executive, said no venue had yet been found for the tournament, but it could be held in Cape Town or Soweto.
"Irrespective of the final decision, the weigh-in and a [Mandela] remembrance ceremony will be staged on Robben Island a couple of days before the Rumble on the Rock is staged," Michael said.