A Night of Knockouts: Sandton Mayhem Raises the Bar for South African Boxing

When Aquila Boxing Promotions promised an unforgettable night of boxing, they delivered - and then some. On Saturday evening, The Galleria in Sandton transformed into the epicentre of South African boxing as Sandton Mayhem packed out a sold-out arena and kept fans on their feet from the first bell to the final knockout.

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Curated by Kevin Lerena, the driving force behind Aquila Boxing Promotions, the event captured everything the sport stands for — power, precision, and pure heart. For Lerena, the vision has always been clear: to give South African fighters a world-class stage to shine on, and to show fans that local boxing deserves the spotlight.

The Highlights That Had Everyone Talking

From the opening fight, the pace was relentless. Simnikiwe Bongco set the tone with a lightning-fast knockout over Siphelele Sindane, just 1 minute and 4 seconds into the first round. Tshegofatso Matlala may have fallen short against Mxolisi Lahliwe, but his determination drew respect from every corner of the crowd.

Then came one of the evening’s biggest talking points — Liam Fox and Ntokozo Msibi locked in a thrilling back-and-forth battle that ended in a majority draw, with fans roaring for a rematch. Luke Hendrikz and Sabelo Ndwandwe took things to another level, delivering the fight of the night and earning an additional R10 000 each for their outstanding performance and show of heart.

Gary van Staden held his own against the DRC’s Ali Patsho Sambi, displaying the patience and precision that only experience brings. Rising star Leo Careri kept his momentum rolling with another emphatic knockout, while Tiitestso Matikinca needed less than a round to dispatch Michael Davies with style and power.

But the night’s defining moments belonged to Lindokuhle Khuzwayo, who claimed the IBO All Africa Featherweight Title with a clean second-round knockout of Rilwan Lawal, and the headline clash between Kaine “K9” Fourie and Argentina’s Claudio Daneff for the IBO Intercontinental Lightweight Title. Despite massive crowd support, Fourie was stopped two minutes into the second round, as Daneff sealed the win in decisive fashion.

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Aquila Boxing Promotions: Building the Future of the Sport

Every bout reflected what’s driving the resurgence of South African boxing — a mix of elite training, unshakable heart, and opportunities created by passionate promoters like Lerena. Through events like Sandton Mayhem, Aquila Boxing Promotions is not just hosting fights; it’s building a legacy, developing athletes, and redefining what fans can expect from local boxing.

In the Corner of Champions

A night of this scale wouldn’t be possible without the right partners in the ring. Huge appreciation goes to World Sports Betting, in association with SuperSport – The World of Champions, Tigris Wealth, JCP Steel, Meat World, Knox Hydration, HP, and Little Tuscany Boutique Hotel — brands that believe in the vision and power the future of the sport.

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Speaking after the event, Kevin Lerena summed it up perfectly:

“Sandton Mayhem was everything we hoped it would be, competitive, passionate, and a reminder that South African boxing deserves its place on the global stage.”

Broadcast live on SuperSport, the event reached fans across Africa, giving them front-row seats to one of the most thrilling nights on the boxing calendar.

With momentum building and 2026 already in sight, one thing is certain - Aquila Boxing Promotions isn’t just hosting fights. They’re shaping the future of African boxing.

Watch this space.