Roarke Knapp possesses a lot of talent, in and out of the ring. Knapp has emerged as a modest prospect thus far and a move to the United States could be inevitable. 

Knapp hopes to end 2021 on a high note at the expense of Cristiano Ndombassy Saturday night at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa. The 10-round bout will headline a Golden Gloves Promotions card and air live throughout the country on Super Sport (7 p.m. local time). 

Knapp (12-1, 10 knockouts), who resides in nearby Edenvale, stopped unbeaten Benoit Makangila after round 2 in his last bout on June 19. He has won his last three bouts, all by knockout, since suffering the only defeat of his career at the hands of Brandon Thysse in November 2019.

The 23-year-old has impressed longtime South Africa promoter Rodney Berman.

“Knapp was due to fight Brandon, but he tested positive for COVID,” Berman told BoxingScene Thursday. “Roarke will now be up against Cristiano Ndombassy. Roarke is very exciting, excellent skills, and a heavy fist to boot.

“He is only 23 and big things are expected of him.”

When he is not training, Knapp is a part-time men’s hairdresser.

Ndombassy (12-5, 9 KOs), who is originally from Luanda, Angola, last fought on July 24, losing by unanimous decision to Lukas Ndafoluma. The loss took place over four months after defeating previously-unbeaten Jami Webb.

He has split his last six bouts.

In the co-feature, unbeaten Shervantaigh Koopman (8-0, 6 KOs) of Pretoria will square off against Angola’s Henriques Lando (6-2, 6 KOs) in an 10-round bout.

Unbeaten Juan Roux (4-0, 1 KO) will face Wilhelm Nebe (5-1, 4 KOs) in a six-round bout between South Africa heavyweights.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for BoxingScene since September 2012 and has covered boxing in Southern California and abroad since 2000. Francisco also covers boxing for the Ventura County (California) Star newspaper. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing