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Johannesburg - Three South African boxers will take on British fighters in a tournament in Sandton in March.
Showpony Promotions chief executive Damian Michael confirmed on Thursday that Chris "The Heat" van Heerden would defend his IBO welterweight title against Matthew Hatton, brother of former world welterweight champion, Ricky.
Further, Thabiso "the Rock" Mchunu will come up against the up-and-coming Harvey Miles, and South African lightweight champion Tshepang Mohale will square up against Matty Clarkson.
"Mchunu's successive performances in the recent Super Eight series have earned the attention of the boxing world, catapulting him into a 14th-ranked position by the respected WBC organisation, while making him one of the hottest properties in South African boxing," Michael said.
"Miles will be an ideal test of Mchunu's potential on the international spectrum, and point the direction for even more renowned opponents in the future."
Michael also believed the main fight between Van Heerden and Hatton was fast becoming one of the most eagerly-anticipated boxing contests staged in South Africa in recent years.
"Hatton is a top drawcard in England and we anticipate a large contingent of supporters will accompany him to South Africa," he said.
"And there should be no shortage of local supporters with two of the most exciting fighters in the country in Van Heerden and Mchunu on view."
Adding a little offbeat spice to the tournament, former All Black flyhalf, Carlos Spencer, who has already demonstrated his considerable boxing skills in South African rings, would be pitted against another rugby stalwart in Andries Human, a former Bulls and Boland prop.
