‘The Pitbull’ has become the first South African to make it to the Power Slap 8 finals in Fontainebleau, Las Vegas. But he lost in his bid for the super heavyweight title belt on Friday night against Koa ‘Da Crazy Hawaiian’ Viernes.
Van Heerden, who goes by his stage name “The Pitbull,” first got involved in the sport in 2022 after competing at the Slap Fight South African promotion. Since then he’s been hooked and participates in matches around the world. Trained in Muay Thai, he is a professional MMA fighter with 17 wins and 8 loses – not counting the fact that he’s also built to ‘give a snot klap’ (a hard slap or a hard hit) as most South African men are fighters.
Hailing from Pretoria, Van Heerden comes from a family of fighters. His brother, Chris, is famed South African professional boxer and former IBO (International Boxing Organisation) welterweight champion, ‘The Heat’ van Heerden. “This is sports on a world-class platform,” Van Heerden said on the Power Slap website. “You’re never too old or heavy for anything. I want to prove to myself that whatever I put my mind to, I can and will come out on top.”
BGTN was the only media house to exclusively interview with Danie “The Pitbull” Van Heerden ahead of his departure from Johannesburg to the Power Slap 8 in the USA. We are also the only channel to broadcast Slap Fighting in South Africa and are looking at broadcasting and showcasing slapfighting champions in South Africa and the rest of the world.
For more information email us at: online@bgtvnetwork.com
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