Liebenberg crowned as the new IBO All-Africa super middleweight champion

Ryno Liebenberg was crowned the new South African and IBO All-Africa super middleweight champion after defeating Rowan Campbell in their eagerly-awaited fight at Emperors Palace on Sunday afternoon, March 14.

Liebenberg, 37, fondly known as ‘The Lion’, produced an offensive assault from the opening bell until the eighth where the referee stopped the fight, which had become overwhelming for the defending champion.

The win saw Liebenberg’s professional record improve to 21-7-1 while Campbell’s fell to 12-1.

Campbell, who’s a decade younger than the squared circle veteran Liebenberg, showed a lot of courage and bravery throughout the bout, but ‘The Lion’ didn’t allow for his opponent to get into the fight.

The champion was put to the floor and suffered a cut on his left eye as early as the second round with the challenger making his intention clear early on.
Despite having a point deducted for the use of the head in the sixth round, Liebenberg still won comfortably.

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Campbell too had a point deducted for repeated infringements to try and slow ‘The Lion’ down but as it turned out, ‘The Lion’ was not to be stopped.
Liebenberg came into the fight weighing 76kg – just lighter than the champion, who came in at 77.5kg.

Other results:

Middleweight
Musawenkosi Litshane beat Nelson Mbhele via knock-out in the second round.
Welterweight
Nthethelo Nkosi beat Haveni Gerhard on points.
Junior middleweight
Shervantaigh Koopman outlasted Mkhensahosi Makondo in the third round.
Junior featherweight
Lodumo Lamati beat Tanzania’s Said Mohamed on points.
Junior bantamweight
Sabelo Ngcebiyana beat Ricardo Malijika on split decision.

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