Aquila Boxing Promotions returns to Sandton with Knockout Chaos 3: The Return, another action packed evening set for the Sandton Convention Centre on Saturday the 7th of November. Kevin Lerena returns to cruiserweight in the headline contest while Jarred Silverman faces unbeaten Stephanus Pypers in the co-main event.
With the Knockout Clock returning there is extra incentive for fighters to finish the job early.
The Knockout Clock is an innovative incentive introduced by Aquila Boxing Promotions to encourage early finishes. Fighters earn a R30,000 bonus for a first-round knockout, with the reward decreasing by R5,000 for each subsequent round. The earlier the stoppage, the bigger the payday, adding an extra incentive for fighters to come out aggressively and entertain the crowd.
Click here to bet on the full fight card.
KEVIN LERENA vs SCOTT FORREST
WBC International Cruiserweight Title – Main Event (10 Rounds):
Kevin Lerena heads into the main event with a professional record of 31 wins and 5 losses, with 15 victories coming by knockout. The experienced South African returns to the division where he previously enjoyed world title success, looking to rebuild momentum after consecutive defeats at heavyweight and bridgerweight.
His latest action came in May when he suffered a unanimous decision loss to Ryad Merhy, following a defeat by the same method against Lawrence Okolie in July 2025. Before those setbacks he stopped Serhiy Radchenko in the third round and having shared the ring with the likes of Daniel Dubois and Justis Huni, he brings considerably more experience against established opposition into this contest.
Scott Forrest enters the bout with a record of 8 wins and 3 losses, including 5 knockout victories. The Johannesburg born Scottish boxer has shown finishing ability but arrives having lost three of his last four outings.
Forrest suffered a points defeat against Connal McDonald in May after recording a first round retirement victory over Alaa Abouseir in December. His earlier setbacks came against Gradus Kraus on points and Aurel Ignat by first round stoppage with both of these fights taking place during 2025. Notably facing a former world champion away from home represents the toughest professional assignment of his career.
Forrest also boasts an impressive amateur pedigree, having represented Scotland at the Commonwealth Games and competed internationally before turning professional. That experience has given him a solid technical foundation and exposure to high-level competition, making him a more accomplished opponent than his relatively modest professional record might suggest.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Lerena 1.13
Forrest 5.50
PREDICTION:
Lerena’s recent defeats came against considerably stronger opposition and this looks a good opportunity to return to winning ways. Forrest carries enough power to demand respect but his recent results offer limited encouragement against someone with Lerena’s experience. I am backing the South African to take control from the opening bell before securing a stoppage in the early rounds of the fight.
JARRED SILVERMAN vs STEPHANUS PYPERS
Super Welterweight Bout – Co-Main Event (8 Rounds*):
Jarred Silverman steps into the ring this weekend with a professional record of 13 wins and 5 losses, with 8 victories coming inside the distance. The Johannesburg fighter has built momentum with consecutive stoppage wins and now looks to hand an unbeaten domestic opponent his first defeat.
He stopped Khumbulani Mdletshe in the third round in May after a fifth round TKO victory over Siphiwe Ntombela in February. Those results provided a strong response to his unanimous decision defeat against Nika Bigvava in December and give him valuable recent rounds heading into this matchup.
Stephanus Pypers brings a perfect record of 4 wins from 4 fights, with every victory coming by first round stoppage. His explosive start has made him an intriguing prospect although he has yet to be tested beyond the opening round.
Pypers was last seen stopping Surprise Khoza in August 2025, having previously finished Thando Mali, Sipho Manya and Ramon Stewart. His power presents an immediate threat but returning after more than a year out against a considerably more experienced opponent raises questions about how he will cope if Silverman takes him into unfamiliar territory.
There is plenty of bad blood between these two, with a war of words stretching back several months. The pair were originally scheduled to meet in July, but the fight was postponed after Pypers suffered an eye socket fracture in sparring. Silverman questioned the legitimacy of the injury and accused Pypers of costing him financially, while both fighters have exchanged personal insults and promised knockouts. With neither man prepared to back down, this has become one of the most eagerly anticipated domestic grudge matches of the year.
*There is a Sowetan article stating the fight has been reduced to 6 rounds but officially it still appears to be 8
BETTING – Click here to bet
Silverman 1.55
Pypers 2.35
PREDICTION:
Pypers has stopped all four of his professional opponents in the opening round and I expect him to come out aggressively again. Silverman is considerably more experienced and has the durability to make this a difficult night, but his aggressive, high-volume style could play into the hands of the heavy-handed Pypers. With so much bad blood between the two, I expect both fighters to be looking for an early statement rather than settling into a cautious boxing match. Pypers is undoubtedly taking a significant step up in class, but I fancy his explosive punching power to make the difference and am backing him to extend his unbeaten record with another early stoppage.
SUGGESTED BETS:
Lerena vs Forrest
Lerena to win via KO/TKO or DQ at 2.00
Silverman vs Pypers
Pypers to win at 2.35 (draw no bet)
The double works out to 4.70
Note: All prices are correct at the time of writing but subject to change.
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