Linda Ximba
Almost forgotten Noni “She Bee Stingin” Tenge has paid tribute to former IBF heavyweight champ Francois “White Buffalo” Botha for paving the way for her comeback.
Tenge, a former WBF welterweight and junior middleweight title holder, will be back in the ring after three years of non-action to meet Emma Kozin in Pforzheim, Germany, on 28 May.
At stake will be Kozin’s WBF super middleweight crown and the vacant WBC Silver belt.
Speaking to Scrolla.Africa upon confirmation of the Germany fight, Tenge shed tears of joy and thanked South Africa-based WBF president Howard Goldberg for arranging the fight.
“From what I heard, Botha has connections in Germany after he was invited for a charity boxing match some years ago,” said the 39-year-old fighter from East London.
“He is going back there for another charity bout and apparently he and Mr Goldberg organised the fight for me. I am thankful to them and I pledge to work hard so that I bring home the titles.”
“Three years away from the ring has been hurtful but I have always been in the gym so I’ve got no issues with fitness,” said Tenge.
Tenge remains the only female boxer throughout the whole of the African continent to win three world titles in two weight divisions.
She has held the WBF and IBF belt in the welterweight class and the WBF belt in the junior-middleweight division.
Her 23-year-old opponent is highly rated by the Ring Magazine. She has previously won the Women’s International Boxing Association middleweight title, WBF super middleweights and WBC interim middleweight crown.
Image source: SowetanLive
