By Linda Ximba
Mzansi boxer Nozipho Bell has been given three months to defend her International Boxing Federation (IBF) Intercontinental junior-lightweight belt or else she will be stripped of her title.
The Gqeberha-born Bell is yet to defend her title since she won after outscoring Matshidiso Mokebisi from Free State at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton, Gqeberha, last year.
Bell’s manager Colleen McAusland told Scrolla.Africa that the US-based IBF has written them a letter urging them to secure an opponent to be a mandatory challenger.
“We have just got a letter from the IBF, which says that she must defend the title in three months. I didn’t tell her about the letter because I didn’t want to disrupt her preparations for Sunday’s fight,” said McAusland.
Bell is scheduled to defend her SA female junior-lightweight title against Mashudu Ramakwelo from Thohoyandou, Limpopo, at the Babs Madlakane Hall in KwaNobuhle, in Gqeberha.
Though the defending champion will be enjoying home-ground advantage, she said she won’t take her opponent lightly.
“Since her dream is to become a South African champion, this then means I will have to up my game on Sunday,” Bell said.
Bell boasts a superior fight record than Ramakwelo, who in only seven fights, has managed to register four wins against three losses.
Bell, who has held the World Boxing Federation (WBF) crown, on the other hand, has fought outside the country and gained experience.
She lost the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) belt to Terri Harper in the USA in 2019 and boasts over 15 wins against three losses.
Pictured above: Nozipho Bell
Image source: Supplied
