Walkerville’s boxer (20) makes great strides
Walkerville’s boxer, Donjuan van Heerden, is reaching for greater heights and is following in his father’s footprints.
Walkerville’s Donjuan van Heerden is striving to demonstrate the art of boxing while also following in the footprints of his late father.
Donjuan recently went up against Lumpungu Mutoka in a four-round international fight at the ESPN headquarters where he came out victorious on April 21.
The 20-year-old gained favour from the day’s judges after knuckling professional boxer Lumpungu, winning by unanimous decision.
At age three, Donjuan’s late father took him to a boxing gym and that is where his love for boxing, as well as his career, took off.
“I hated it at first because I got beaten, but as I grew older. I started handing out the beating. I started fully at age six. My late dad, Daniel Christoffel, was a boxer in the ’80s, and he was the one who got me into boxing,” he said.
As an amateur boxer, he said he was six times South African champion.
He reiterated that his style is fast-paced, aggressive and very precise.
“I’m a student of my sport, trying my best to become better every single day. My recent fight was awesome. We wanted the fight to go the distance because I want to showcase my skills and also want people in the boxing world entertained. We went the distance and I won on the scorecards with all three judges ruling it the same,” Donjuan’s said.
He said it was a good experience for his career and that he is now looking forward to his next fight.
“It will be a step up to six rounds, I can’t wait to get back. I’m disciplined, fit and my mind is fully locked in on my career. No one will work harder than me and no one will train harder than me. I will run further, jump higher and push my body to the limits each night. My life is on the line every time I get in that ring,” he explained.
In light of his recent triumph, his manager Colleen McAusland said she was proud of Donjuan for working his way up as a professional boxer.
“Our game plan was for him to go all the distance and not win by knockout, because most of his fights are won by knockout. We stuck to the game plan and won the fight. I’m super proud of him. He has come a long way. He’s still young and has a great future ahead of him. We are now looking forward to our next fight,” she said.
