Will Blom blossom or Kaine rise to the fore in intriguing undercard clash?

They’re only prelim fighters on the ESPN show at Johannesburg's Galleria on Thursday, but Sinethemba Blom and Kaine Fourie are drawing nearly as much interest as the main event boxers.

Jabulani Makhense takes on Henriques “Spartacus” Lando in the one co-main feature, a classic clash of boxer against puncher styles. In the other stylish junior-bantamweight Sikho Nqothole faces unbeaten Denmark Quibido of the Philippines. 

But no true fistic fan will want to miss the six-round clash of the two unbeaten prospects, former SA amateur king Blom and young gun Fourie. 

The 29-year-old Blom, who narrowly missed making the podium at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on Australia's Gold Coast, said at the weigh-in on Wednesday that he’d had more than 500 amateur fights. 

Fourie, who turns 21 next month, had only six amateur bouts before turning professional, where he’s built up his record to three wins and two draws.

“He’s a good boy,” said Blom, who arrived in Johannesburg from his home in Dunoon, Cape Town, armed with a nutritionist. “I’m expecting a good fight, but I will win.”

In his only paid bout so far, also at the Galleria, BA graduate Blom looked vulnerable at times while grinding out a points win over four rounds. 

Fourie watched that fight. “There’s nothing special,” said the youngster, who brought a small cooler bag of drinks and snacks to the weigh-in to help him rehydrate for their lightweight contest.

“I’m going to take him apart in there,” said Fourie, who is no relation to the light-heavyweight great of the 1970s, Pierre. 

The main fighting talk came from Angola-born Lando, who has seven wins, all inside the distance, and three losses, one of which was by stoppage. 

Three of his victories came against Makhense’s stablemates from Sebastiaan Rothmann's gym. 

Lando attempted to out-psych Makhense by roaring out his nickname, which, he said, was given to him by his parents, both boxers. “I am Spartacus,” he stated, emphasising each syllable of his ring name. “Spar-ta-cus.” 

“What’s that?” replied Makhense, who is engaging in his third fight since being stopped by Tulz Mbenge in mid-2021. He has 13 wins, seven by stoppage, and that single defeat. 

These two gladiators will be armed with only gloves and their wits. 

The tournament will be televised live on ESPN, channel 218, from 7pm.