By Francisco Salazar

Heavyweight Ruann Visser is receiving praise for his improving skill-set in the ring as well as for his extraordinary height.

Visser notched another knockout victory Sunday night, stopping Justice Siliga in the opening round at Time Square Casino in Pretoria, South Africa.

The 28-year-old Visser, who resides in the Johannesburg suburb of Meyerton, towered over Siliga and was the aggressor from the opening bell. A right-left combination to the head dropped Siliga (8-7, 6 KOs), forcing an immediate stoppage by referee Tony Nyangiwe.

With the win, Visser improves to 16-2 1 ND, 15 knockouts and won two regional title belts in the process.

Visser stands 6’9.5” tall, half an inch taller than what Tyson Fury is listed at. Visser has now won 11 of his last 12 bouts and has already fought three times this year.

Heavyweight prospect Vladiyslav Sirenko (12-0, 11 KOs), who is originally from the Ukraine and now resides in Meyerton, stopped former heavyweight contender Denis Bakhtov (39-16, 26 KOs) at 1:43 of the seventh round. Bakhtov has now lost seven of his last eight fights.

Heavyweight Flo Simba improved to 15-5, 13 KOs when Malawi’s Mussa Ajibu (28-14-5, 24 KOs) did not come out for round three, citing an injury to his left elbow.

Cruiserweight Chris Thompson (8-2, 6 KOs) won by knockout after Youssouf Kasongo Mwanza (2-2) remained on his stool after the third round.

Junior welterweight prospect Marios Matamba (11-0, 9 KOs), who is originally from the Congo and now resides in Cape Town, stopped Salimu Chazama (13-5-2, 7 KOs) of Malawi in the second round.

In an upset on paper, welterweight prospect Denys Lazarev (9-1-1, 3 KOs) of the Ukraine was stopped by Faraday candela (6-1-1, 4 KOs) in the fifth round.

Promoter of the card was Jani Hebler, who runs 5th Element Promotions.

Francisco A. Salazar has written for Boxingscene.com 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. He can be reached by email at santio89@yahoo.com or on Twitter at FSalazarBoxing