The South African welterweight title is vacant yet again after Keanu Koopman decided to relinquish it just five months after he stopped Bonke Duku in the eighth round to win it.
According to a statement from Boxing South Africa (BSA), Koopman announced that he was relinquishing the title as he’s moving up to the junior-middleweight division.
“In accordance with Boxing South Africa regulations, 2004, the South African welterweight championship title is now declared vacant and processes will commence to identify contenders for the vacant title in due course,” a BSA satement said.
“Keanu Koopman has demonstrated exceptional talent and professionalism during his tenure as welterweight champion. As he enters a new chapter in his boxing career, Boxing South Africa wishes Keanu the very best in his future endeavours and continued success as he competes on higher platforms.”
Koopman will now campaign in the same division as his brother Shervantaigh Koopman, who’s challenging International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-middleweight champion Uisma dos Ramos Lima from Angola, on Saturday, 31 May.
Meanwhile, this is the second time that the national welterweight title became vacant in less than a year.
It became vacant after Thulani Mbenge won the IBO title following his victory over Michael McKinson in the United Kingdom last October.
