South Africa’s welterweight world title prospect Chris Van Heerden (26-2-1, 12 KO’s) begins a new life under Top Rank this weekend with a new trainer in former Flyweight world champion Brian Viloria as he prepares to fight Mahonri Montes tomorrow March 23.
Boxing guru Peter Kahn is his manager and talks up plans for his boxer ahead of his Top Rank debut on Saturday
“As Chris makes his Top Rank debut on March 23, he knows that the key to his success moving forward will be activities and fighting strong opponents. He is two wins away from a Terence Crawford fight as long he continues to perform at a world class level against top opponents. This fight is a tune up fight based on his 11 months of inactivity. After this one, maybe another tune up against another strong opponent, then a top 10 world rated opponent and then world title shot.”
When quizzed on Chris’ next opponent and conditioning, the marketing guru responded
“The opponent for Chris is a tough veteran. He’s going to stay in front of Chris and fight.”
“Chris is in excellent condition. His new trainer Brian Viloria, former USA Olympian and former two time, two division world champion has Chris in the best shape of his life.” Peter Kahn added.
Previously under Evander Holyfield’s Real Deal Boxing, he participated in the inaugural WBC Jose Sulaiman Welterweight Invitational tournament. He was scheduled to meet Ghana’s Frederick Lawson in the semi finals but for the cancellation of the tourney due to Visa issues.
The southpaw was formerly a sparring partner for Canelo Alvarez and Miguel Cotto.
Nicknamed The Heat, Chris Van Heerden is now 31 years of age and possesses a height advantage of 5′ 9″ / 175cm with a reach of 72″ / 183cm as well as a former World Boxing Association Pan African Welterweight champion and an International Boxing Federation International Welterweight titlist aside other local belts.
The Santa Monica, California resident is equally optimistic of an upsurge of his pugilistic future in 2019.
“2019 will be promising for me, I will get to fight and fight often. I know I can compete with the best in the division. All I need is to be more active. I want to make my people in South Africa proud.” Chris Van Heerden.
Truth be told Chris has had a difficult 2018 after the cancellation of the tournament to the death of his father Daniel Christoffel Van Heerden, on the streets of South Africa.
Among his 13 siblings, what is distinct about Chris Van Heerden is the fact that like all African breed he still have the fighting spirit and is ready to make a mark in the welterweight division.
The journey to the top commences tomorrow against the difficult Mexican Mahonri Montes Castillo.