Rowan Campbell has passed every test thus far in his career.

As his career continues progressing, he understands a formidable foe could be a make-or-break fight for him. 

Campbell will square off against Ryno Liebenberg Sunday evening at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park, South Africa. The fight will air live on Super Sport throughout the country.

Sunday’s clash between Campbell and Liebenberg will mark a crossroads bout between two super middleweights at different points in their careers. Campbell is an unbeaten prospect who has notched victories over modest opposition while Liebenberg has faced solid opposition with mixed results.

Promoter Rodney Berman, who runs Golden Gloves Promotions, believes many questions will be answered, one being if Campbell is a legit fighter at 168 pounds.

“As with (cruiserweight contender and IBO world titleholder Kevin) Lerena, Campbell has no amateur record and has done (well) unbelievably,” Berman told BoxingScene Wednesday. “The two have a common opponent in Patrick Mukala. Liebenberg won on points (in 2017) and Campbell beat him by knockout, but I don’t think that’s any indication.

“For Liebenberg, a former WBC (regional) champion, defeat at 37 years old will certainly end his career. For Campbell, who has an exciting future, defeat would be a huge setback. So, a fan-friendly, long-awaited local grudge fight is eagerly awaited where neither fighter will give an inch. How much does Liebenberg still have in the tank and is Campbell the real deal?”

Campbell (12-0, 8 knockouts), who resides in nearby Johannesburg, last fought on November 2019, stopping Nicolas Radley in round 4 of a fight between unbeaten super middleweights. In his previous fight three months prior, Campbell stopped Mukala in round 7,

All of Campbell’s fights have taken place at Emperors Palace in Kempton Park.

Liebenberg (20-7-1, 13 KOs), who resides in Krugersdorp, South Africa, fought almost exactly one year ago, defeating Alex Kabangu by unanimous decision. In his previous two fights in 2019, Liebenberg fought to a draw, then lost a unanimous decision to Germany’s Nick Hannig. 

In a pro career that began in 2010, Liebenberg has fought some of the best super middleweights and light heavyweights in boxing, including Eleider Alvarez, Thomas Oosthuizen, Vincent Feigenbutz, and Enrico Koelling. He does have two victories over Johnny Muller and a knockout win over prospect Alfonso Tissen, both who are also from South Africa. 

Unbeaten Ricardo Malajika (7-0, 5 KOs) will face Sabelo Ngebinyana (12-4, 10 KOs) in an eight-round bout featuring South Africa-based junior bantamweights.

Junior featherweight prospect Ludumo Lamati will square off against Tanzania’s Said Mohamed Hassan (16-7-2, 12 KOs) in an eight-round bout. Lamati (16-0-1, 10 KOs) has not fought since July 2019, when he stopped former contender Richie Mepranum of the Philippines. 

Three more fights will round out the Golden Gloves Promotions card. 

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