Vaal's Iron Dragon ready to roar
MEYERTON – South Africa's rising middleweight star, Donjuan 'Iron Dragon' van Heerden, is just 23 years old and already knocking on the door of international recognition.
On Saturday, 5 July, he'll take a major step forward when he faces Dean Promnick for the vacant African Boxing Union (ABU) middleweight title at Emperor's Palace in Kempton Park. The high-stakes bout headlines the Golden Gloves event, 'Titans of Africa', and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
'It's an incredible privilege and an honour,' van Heerden says about the upcoming title shot. 'Fighting for the ABU title, especially on an iconic stage like Emperor's Palace, means everything to me. This isn't just a personal dream, it's a chance to put my name on the global boxing map. A win here will not only reward all the sacrifices but open the door to international opportunities, ' says the born and bred Meyertonner.
For Van Heerden, this bout carries more weight than any previous fight not just physically, but symbolically. 'This fight is different. It's not just a match, it's a statement. Everything about this camp has been intense. Every day feels like fight night, and I push through it.
My last two fights were at super middleweight, but now I'm back at my natural weight. It's time to show people who I really am in the middleweight division.' Van Heerden admits footage of Promnick is scarce, but not lacking in what his team needed.
'There's not a lot of footage out there, just a few short clips, but we used what we could. I've watched a couple of his fights, one of them live. We brought in elite sparring partners with a similar style to his. The sparring was intense 10 to 12 rounds with fresh partners. We focused on pressure, fitness, and tactical awareness. I'm not just fit… I'm sharp and ready to improvise.'
'It's never easy to fight a southpaw, but I'm a very sharp southpaw myself. If he survives my power shots, it's going to be a long night for him.' Van Heerden is clear that this is not the final destination, but the first real stepping stone toward global ambitions. The ABU title is a massive continental title that opens international doors.
My goal is to fight for a top-15 WBA, WBC, or IBF ranking within the next year. This is the bridge. I want to win this title, maybe defend it once or twice, maybe even go for the SA title too and then step onto the world stage.'
Coming from a well-known boxing family, Don-Juan embraces both the pressure and the inspiration of being Chris van Heerden's younger brother.
'It's a bit of both. I'm proud of what Chris has achieved. It proves what's possible for a South African boxer. But I also want to build my own name. I don't want to just be known as Chris's brother. I want people to know Donjuan.'
'I've had amazing coaching and mentorship—my dad always said, 'Keep your head low and your work high.' I've also received guidance from Brian Mitchell, as I've been sparring at their gym in Edenvale. I can honestly say this will be my best performance ever.'
Van Heerden also credits promoter Rodney Berman and Golden Gloves for reshaping his career. 'Everything changed. Rodney believes in me. Golden Gloves brings structure, opportunity, and professionalism that is what prepares you for the big stage.'
'We've got a tight schedule with my coach Arafaat Kock and my fitness team. Every detail is planned—from recovery to media to sparring. I'm surrounded by people who bring out the best in me. Coach Arafaat pushes me every session and stands by me no matter what.'
Looking ahead, Van Heerden sees himself defending titles and expanding his reach.
'I see myself with one or two title defences under my belt and hopefully an invite to fight internationally—if that fits Golden Gloves' plans. I want to be known on the international circuit, working my way toward a world title. It's in my blood. I grew up around boxing.'
'First, I want to defend the ABU title and build my name in Africa. But I'm ready for any big challenge, whether that's the SA title or opportunities in Europe, the U.S., or the Far East. I'm ready to travel and prove my worth.'
Reflecting on his only recent defeat, Van Heerden is candid and confident. 'I learned a lot from that loss. I took the fight on one week's notice, but I won't use that as an excuse.
As a fighter, you have to be ready every day of the week, every month, all year. That guy wasn't in my league. He got lucky. If we fought 365 times, he might win once I will win the other 364.'
'Since then, I've worked on distance control, defensive movement, and my jab. I've sharpened my ring IQ. I'm now a more balanced, smarter, and more dangerous fighter than ever before. Come 5 July, I'll be ready to fight inside the pocket or outbox him from range—it depends on how I feel that night.'
And he closes with certainty:
'One thing's for sure. I'm ready. And I will win this fight.'
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
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