By Linda Ximba
Boxing enthusiasts should brace themselves for a storm when Bathabile Ziqubu and Thema Zuma clash for the SA female junior bantamweight title next month.
This fight is a grudge match! At their first meeting in June at Durban’s Greyville Hall, Zuma edged Ziqubu on points but the judges’ decision divided opinion. Some fans felt Ziqubu should have been awarded the title.
Now promoter Zandile Malinga of Starline Promotions has afforded the boxers a chance to settle the score.
Ziqubu, a teacher from Ladysmith, told Scrolla.Africa she was raring to get into the ring and avenge her defeat.
“When the promoter told me about fighting Thema again I was excited,” she said.
“I’m still smarting from that defeat.”
She said she wasn’t at her best that day because she had personal problems ahead of the fight.
“But that’s not an excuse. This time around I aim to knock her out. I don’t want to leave the result to the judges,” said Ziqubu.
Zuma, from Clermont in Durban, said she was not ready to lose her title.
“Since becoming the national champion my life has changed,” she said.
“I’m from an impoverished township and had only my granny to look after me. Boxing is my life and it has enabled me to build a decent three-room house.”
She said she and Bathabile are buddies as our friendship started when they were competing at amateur level.
“But friendship will be thrown out of the window when we get into the ring,” said Zuma.
Promoter Malinga said this fight will form part of Simiso “Gandaganda” Buthelezi’s commemoration in Vryheid, northern KwaZulu-Natal. Buthelezi died three days after being involved in a WBF lightweight title against Siphesihle Mntungwa in June last year.
Pictured above: Thema Zuma, matchmaker Bhekani Msibi and Bathabile Ziqubu
Image source: Supplied
