The boxing setup at Emperors Palace is different from Eastern Cape where Simpiwe Konkco hails from.
The Tsolo-born boxer will be exposed to a different boxing environment when he challenges Hekkie Budler for the WBA and IBO mini-flyweight titles this Saturday.
Firstly, the fight to be presented by Golden Gloves Promotion boss will be a box-dine affair allowing Konkco to fight in a venue where people will be feasting not only on the action in the ring but also on various cuisine.
At box and dine events, which is almost the norm in Gauteng, diners watch quietly from their seats – a far cry from the scores of singing fans Konkco is used to in his fights.
However, Berman has decided to create a familiar environment for Konkco by availing a section of the ring for his fans with a reduced admission fee.
“I want to make Konkco to feel as much at home as possible and for that reason I will be making available a section of the hall where his fans can sit and cheer for him,” said Berman.
“They will only pay R75 admission fee and we will benefit from everything in the hall including watching other bouts. It is important that Konkco is not overwhelmed by the occasion and end up not performing to his best.”
Buses are expected to transport Konkco’s fans from Transkei and East London but no details have been given about this arrangement so far.
But with provincial sports MEC Pemmy Majodina as well OR Tambo municipality renowned for supporting local athletes when engaging in crucial fights outside the province, the government is expected to provide buses to Johannesburg.
The fight carries a huge significance not only for the OR Tambo region but for the province as a whole as Konkco will become the first ever Transkei-based boxer to fight for two major world titles in one night.
And while he expressed a desire to spend at least two weeks in Gauteng to acclimatise Konkco will travel to the fight venue a day before the fight.
This will help him to minimise the chances of suffering from altitude as coastal boxers arriving in Gauteng a day before the fight are usually able to ride it off.
The 28-year-old Konkco is still confident of upsetting the record books by dethroning the favoured Budler of his titles.
“Nothing has changed since this fight was announced. I am taking the titles back home,” he said.
With four losses in 19 fights Konkco will undoubtedly engage in the biggest fight of his professional career against the 27-year-old Budler who has lost only just once in 29 bouts.
Berman bonanza for Konkco fans at Emperors title clash
The Tsolo-born boxer will be exposed to a different boxing environment when he challenges Hekkie Budler for the WBA and IBO mini-flyweight titles this Saturday.
Firstly, the fight to be presented by Golden Gloves Promotion boss will be a box-dine affair allowing Konkco to fight in a venue where people will be feasting not only on the action in the ring but also on various cuisine.
At box and dine events, which is almost the norm in Gauteng, diners watch quietly from their seats – a far cry from the scores of singing fans Konkco is used to in his fights.
However, Berman has decided to create a familiar environment for Konkco by availing a section of the ring for his fans with a reduced admission fee.
“I want to make Konkco to feel as much at home as possible and for that reason I will be making available a section of the hall where his fans can sit and cheer for him,” said Berman.
“They will only pay R75 admission fee and we will benefit from everything in the hall including watching other bouts. It is important that Konkco is not overwhelmed by the occasion and end up not performing to his best.”
Buses are expected to transport Konkco’s fans from Transkei and East London but no details have been given about this arrangement so far.
But with provincial sports MEC Pemmy Majodina as well OR Tambo municipality renowned for supporting local athletes when engaging in crucial fights outside the province, the government is expected to provide buses to Johannesburg.
The fight carries a huge significance not only for the OR Tambo region but for the province as a whole as Konkco will become the first ever Transkei-based boxer to fight for two major world titles in one night.
And while he expressed a desire to spend at least two weeks in Gauteng to acclimatise Konkco will travel to the fight venue a day before the fight.
This will help him to minimise the chances of suffering from altitude as coastal boxers arriving in Gauteng a day before the fight are usually able to ride it off.
The 28-year-old Konkco is still confident of upsetting the record books by dethroning the favoured Budler of his titles.
“Nothing has changed since this fight was announced. I am taking the titles back home,” he said.
With four losses in 19 fights Konkco will undoubtedly engage in the biggest fight of his professional career against the 27-year-old Budler who has lost only just once in 29 bouts.
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