WATCH: Gauteng champ challenges for IBO title in France

Provincial middleweight champion Donjuan van Heerden is ready to battle Frenchman Ismael Seck for the vacant IBO continental title in France.

This is the biggest fight in his boxing career. He is adamant, with heart and dedication, that he will bring the IBO Middleweight Continental title home.

The Jo’burg south champ was named Boxing SA prospect of the year earlier this year and he has constantly kept the momentum going since.

He said fighting for this title was a big opportunity for him and feels he will fight for much bigger titles in the future.

“For now, my eye is set on this title. Mentally and physically, I’m always prepared for any fight. I never go into a fight not being prepared. I always go prepared to make sure I’m ready for anything my opponent throws at me. I feel I will become the IBO champ. I believe it, I speak it into existence,” Van Heerden said.

Coaches Arafaat Kock and John Tshabalala have put in the work to make sure he is ready for his next bout.

Much training

“We have a game plan, so make sure to tune in on PPV (Punchtime.tv) and don’t miss a master class performance. I have trained very hard; I’ve been on a strict weight cut, so I’ve done my part in preparing. My team and I have watched a few of his fights. The few fights we have seen has helped us with a game plan,” he said.

He said one cannot have the same game plan for each opponent because every opponent is different.
According to Van Heerden, boxing is all about heart, and pushing through challenges.

“When the going gets tough, the tough get going. My most memorable fight was the day I won the Gauteng middleweight title. It was my first title. Winning titles is what my father, Daniel Christoffel van Heerden, had in his dreams for me. I owe it all to my Lord and Saviour and my dad for getting me into boxing,” he explained.

He also paid tribute to his coaches, especially to his manager, Colleen McAusland, for playing a huge role in his career.

When advising aspiring boxers, he said it is not always easy, and that the road may be hard.

“Always have God in your corner and work hard. It’s worth it if opportunities like these pop up, you’ve got to grab them with both hands. Be active in maintaining your fitness and conditioning. My dad used to always say ‘it doesn’t matter how fit you are, you can be the fittest guy in the world, but if you take off more than three or four days, you have to start all over’,” Van Heerden said.

Unyielding

The 22-year-old has made several sacrifices, which he believes were all worth it.

“All the missed moments, every birthday party, every day spent away from loved ones, every relationship and every sacrifice made might be extremely hard for now, but always remember why you started, remember your why,” he said.

He paid tribute to his late father, who made him a ‘tough and hard man’, adding that he can handle a lot mentally.

Ahead of his fight, his manager of McAusland Boxing Management predicted that this rising star would win by a knockout in the fifth round.

“He is more than ready for this fight. He has been in training camp for eight weeks for this fight. The opportunities are not that much for my boxers in South Africa, so I’ve been working hard with promoters internationally to get them into fights. Being a manager is hard work, sleepless nights and prayer,” said Colleen.

She reiterated that Van Heerden is South Africa’s future world champion of many titles.

“He is special and has what it takes. Things would be easier for him if he could get corporate sponsors. Boxers only get paid when they fight. Without sponsorships, it is a tough sport.”

Should corporates wish to sponsor the champ, they may contact Colleen via email at colleen.mcausland@gmail.com