Boxing: Liebenberg faces his toughest test

The 24-year Skoglund 24-0; 11 has been at the forefront in the revival of Swedish boxing. On September 19 2015 he made history when defending his IBF Inter-Continental light heavyweight title against Oleksandr Cherviak; the first championship fight on Swedish soil since the ban on professional boxing in Sweden since 1969.

Three months later he scored a one-sided ten-round points victory over American Derek Edwards, the only fighter to have beaten the current WBC super middleweight champion Badou Jack.

Liebenberg, who will be 28 on May 18, has been fighting as a pro since July 2010 and compiled a record of 17-2; 12 which included winning the IBO All Africa, IBO Inter-Continental, WBC Silver, WBC International and South African light heavyweight titles along the way.

The South African is a tough rugged fighter with only two losses on his record, against Eleider Alvarez who stopped him in seven and Tommy Oosthuizen who outpointed him over 12 rounds in a clash for the vacant IBO light heavyweight belt.

Liebenberg has done a lot of tough talking while in Sweden and has been reported as saying ‘’I think Skoglund is overrated. He has never fought anyone good. He has a record of 24-0 and a top-ten world ranking that he doesn’t deserve. I thought Swedes were tough Vikings, but clearly I’m wrong. I’m looking forward to showing Sweden what a real fighter is.”

However, despite the tough talk Liebenberg probably will not have enough against his more skilled opponent who should win on points over 12 rounds.

Skoglund is ranked at No 3 by the IBF and at No 7 by the WBO. Liebenberg is not ranked by either organisation.

The tournament is promoted by Nisse Sauerland and the judges are Gudjon Wilhelm, Ake Johansson and Andreas Stenberg. The referee will be Hakan Sindemark.