Diamond Fight Night a treat for Kimberley fight fans

THE GLITTER of Kimberley’s historic nickname shone bright once again as boxing returned to the Diamond City in grand fashion, with the recent staging of Diamond Fight Night at the Flamingo Casino. 

Organised by Rusty Gloves Combat Academy in conjunction with Fight Arts Promotions, the event drew a packed house and delivered a thrilling evening of white-collar boxing and dynamic jiu-jitsu matchups.

Six high-octane boxing bouts and 10 intense jiu-jitsu contests kept the energy crackling throughout the evening. Fighters from Kimberley and Bloemfontein faced off, with participants including Morafe Seitiso, Zubair Jaffer, Raaziq Motlekar, Jaedon Van Eden, CJ Townsend, Sipho Manya, Otlotleng Mocwana, AJ Page, Kagisho Hlungwani, Duke Haai, and Bret Du Preez. 

Behind every bout lay six weeks of intense preparation – weekly sparring sessions, tailored fitness regimes, and carefully curated matchups to ensure fair and competitive fights.

While the Bloemfontein fighters edged the results on the night, the Kimberley athletes impressed with their heart and determination, particularly those stepping into the ring for the first time. The Jiu Jitsu “Last Man Standing” round-robin further showcased the deep well of martial arts talent emerging from the Rusty Gloves and Iron Fist gyms.

Russell Bindeman, co-owner of Rusty Gloves and founder of Fight Arts Promotions, said the evening was about far more than just competition. “From the start, our goal has been to bring combat sports to every corner of the Northern Cape – not just to entertain, but to empower,” he said.

He further explained that Fight Arts Promotions is strongly aligned with anti-violence initiatives, particularly the fight against gender-based violence.

“Our work isn’t just about fighting,” Bindeman explained. “We’re building character, promoting emotional intelligence, and taking a firm stance against violence – especially gender-based violence. There is a place to test your strength, and that’s in the ring, not in homes or on the streets.”

While Diamond Fight Night itself was not a direct fund-raiser, Bindeman confirmed that the academy maintains close ties with organisations such as CANSA, and a dedicated charity-driven event is already in the pipeline. “Our vision isn’t short-term,” he added. “We want to make these events regular fixtures on the Kimberley calendar. We are registered with Boxing South Africa and will soon be staging full professional events – blending boxing and martial arts in a way that’s never been done before in the Northern Cape,”

The spirit of camaraderie behind the scenes was just as important as the battles in the ring. After the final bell, mutual respect between the Kimberley and Bloemfontein fighters shone through, particularly toward the debutants who poured everything into their performances.

With the next event already pencilled in for seven weeks’ time, Kimberley’s fighting spirit looks set to burn even brighter. The public is invited to get involved – whether by training, competing, or simply supporting – through the academy at Boys High Pavilion Hall, or by contacting 061 509 6687 / sweetscienceboxingclub@gmail.com.

As Bindeman reflected: “What made the night special wasn’t just the skill but the atmosphere,” said Bindeman. “The Flamingo Casino lit up with energy. The crowd was amazing, and the heavyweight fights were absolutely electric. This is exactly what we had hoped for when we dreamed up Diamond Fight Night.”