Doreen Mokgolo
Simangele Hadebe was crowned winner of the flyweight ABU (African Boxing Union) title earlier this year and she says she has been working hard to ensure she defends her title.
On Saturday night, the 28-year-old from Ekurhuleni knocked out her Tanzanian opponent Stumai Muki in the third round during a fight hosted by ESPN Africa Boxing in Sandton.
The referee had to call off the bout following a TKO (Technical Knockout) after Muki complained about her shoulder and couldn’t continue with the fight.
Hadebe explained that she was disappointed when the referee decided to end the fight in a TKO.
“I was hoping we would fight until the 10th round but she was too weak to finish the fight. She did intimidate me in the beginning of the fight as she seemed fit to claim the title,” Hadebe said after the fight.
Hadebe added that she decided to focus on defending her title and came up with the right strategy to do just that.
She says she was inspired to become a boxer after watching the Clint Eastwood movie Million Dollar Baby in 2014.
The movie is about a young woman who is determined to become a boxer, a sporting world that’s dominated by men.
It inspired Hadebe to challenge the status quo and prove that women can provide a boxing spectacle every bit as entertaining as men.
“I always wanted to join the sport but was told only boys are allowed to box but after seeing the movie I approached the local boxing coach who reluctantly agreed. We worked hard and soon started competing and won,” Hadebe said.
She then turned professional two years later and hasn’t looked back since.
The South African will now continue training as she awaits her next opponent where she will have another chance at defending her belt.
