The first thing you notice about Armand Herbst when he fights are the words ‘God’s son’ emblazoned across his back in bold tattoo ink.
This is clearly not a man shy about his beliefs.
The 22-year-old Ballito boxer said each one of his many tattoos was significant, and had meaning for him.
“Jesus gave me my talents – He is my life.”
At the beginning of the year Herbst got his professional boxing licence and his first professional fight was last month at the Ballito Box and Dine, which he won with an impressive knock-out in the first round.
His opponent was ranked fifth in the country in his size category by Africa Ring magazine.
Now he is hungry for more. His next fight will be at the SMD Muscle Box and Dine on August 22. He spends four to five hours, six days a week, training towards his dream at Ringside Boxing Gym.
Herbst has been fighting since he was 17 under the instruction of his coach, former SA junior welterweight champion Hardy Mileham.
“I started boxing because I was really overweight and I needed to change my lifestyle. I lost 30kgs.”
He comes from quite a sporty family too. His father and grandfather boxed and his brother Wiehahn previously played for the Sharks and recently signed a contract with Ulster Rugby in Ireland. Herbst himself played in the Sharks Academy for three years but knee problems forced him to leave professional rugby. He now coaches rugby for Ashton International Collage.
Herbst said boxing was about more than just strength.
“There is a science behind boxing. You have to figure out your opponent’s strengths and weaknesses and capitalise on them. For this fitness is crucial, so that you can think and fight at the same time.”
His ultimate goal is to go to Las Vegas and fight for the MGM Grand world title.
“If you put your mind to it, you can achieve it,” he said.
Tickets for the SMD Muscle Box and Dine in Friday can be purchased by contacting Francois Botha on buffalostar@mweb.co.za or Hardy Mileham on hardysnr@gmail.com or 079 504 8033 or Brenda Els on 083 780 1953 or brendaels@webmail.co.za. Alternatively, tickets can be purchased directly from the SMD Group in Ballito.
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