The two carry heavy power and have plenty to prove in classic grudge match

The match-up between South African middleweight champ, Phikelani “Stinger” Khumalo and challenger Roarke “Razor” Knapp at Emperors Palace on November 21 is shaping up to be an explosive, high-stakes slugfest with a very high likelihood of a knockout.

Both fighters know each other well, as they once got involved in sparring. Khumalo and Knapp carry heavy power and have plenty to prove in a classic grudge match. Neither is known for taking a backward step, and Golden Gloves is billing the bout as a potential “Fight of the Night”.

Khumalo, 29, a southpaw, is the bigger, naturally established fighter who believes his past sparring history with Knapp gives him a blueprint to exploit.

Knapp, 28, a right-hander, brings nearly double the professional ring experience against higher-profile international and domestic competition, though moving up in weight after a tough stoppage loss tests his durability.

Khumalo, from Mtwalume south of Durban, is on a four-fight winning streak and nearly a year out of the ring. His first-round knockout of Donjuan “Iron Dragon” van Heerden for both the ABU and South African titles was in November last year.

It took place at the same venue in Kempton Park and was organised by Golden Gloves, which will be in charge of this must-see clash on November 21.

On the other hand, Knapp, a former ABU and IBO Youth champion from Edenvale, Ekurhuleni, is coming off a ninth-round stoppage loss to Brandon “Fast Guns” Thysse for the national and WBA Africa middleweight belts in March. He has switched trainers and joined Thysse’s trainer, Damien Durandt.

Khumalo has six knockouts in nine wins against two losses, while Knapp has 19 victories — 14 by way of the short route — four defeats and a draw.