ESPN Africa Boxing 20 Preview

It is the day before ESPN Africa Boxing 20 where only female boxers will step into the ring on an all-female fight-card, scheduled to take place in Johannesburg, South Africa. 

For those that wonder why and what the hubbub is all about, it’s Women’s Month here in South Africa, a time when a little more attention is meant to paid to the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. In celebration of Women’s Month ESPN will feature six all-female bouts, including two title fights.

Having attended a number of  ESPN Africa Boxing events this year, I cannot help wondering why we are seeing this total focus on women in combat sports for the very first time!

ESPN have become the top boxing promotion in Africa over the past 8 months with some fantastic events where fans have witnessed some spectacular fights;

• ESPN Africa Boxing 15 witnessed a dubious win for Hedda Wolmarans to claim the Female IBF Africa Jr Welterweight title over Ruth Chisale, while Akani ‘Prime’ Phuzi made a massive statement with his 3^rd round TKO win over Lebogang Moshitoa in their Cruiserweight co-main bout.
• ESPN Africa Boxing 16 main event saw Cowin Ray make a statement in the first defense of his SA Super Middleweight title by knocking out Andile Mntungwa in the third round, as well as a comfortable UD decision win for Bangile Nyangani when he defended his SA Mini Flyweight title over Loyiso Ngatweni in the co-main event.
• The unfortunate scenes as Sibusiso Zingange was forced to relinquish his SA Junior Lightweight belt as a dislocated shoulder in the 9^th round ended the contest against Lunga Sitemela at ESPN Africa Boxing 17.
• ESPN Africa Boxing 18 saw Emmany Kalombo crowned the new IBF International Junior Middleweight champion with an impressive TKO win over Rayton Okwiri and who will forget Thulani Mbenge’s call out of former IBO Welterweight champion Chris van Heerden who was sitting at ringside, this after Mbenge’s easy 2nd round TKO win over Idd Pialari in their International Welterweight bout.
• The crowning of a new ABU Flyweight champion as Jackson Chauke dismantled Mustapha Mkupasi via 3rd round TKO at ESPN Africa Boxing 19.

Looking ahead to tomorrow nights action, Simangele “Smash” Hadebe will look to defend her ABU Flyweight title when she faces Stumai Muki in the main event. Hadebe became the champion following her victory over Halima Vunjabel at ESPN Africa Boxing 14. Muki will need to put her last outings defeat against Revai Madondo, in Dar Es Salam back in January, behind her if she wants to take the title!

The co-main event sees Ellen “The Tigress” Simwaka take on Lina Kasweka in her first title defense of her IBF Bantamweight strap since winning it in that split decision victory over Sharadene Fortuin at ESPN Africa 17 in May this year.

And to top it all off, two of local boxing’s finest female referees, namely, Namhla Tyuluba and Pumeza Zinakile will add further female pizzazz to the event as Tyuluba is set to take charge of the main event between Simangele Hadebe and Stumai Muki, while Zinakile will referee the co-main event between Ellen Simwaka and Linah Kasweka.

Other fights on this all-women event include:

Jnr Featherweight (8 rounds)

Matshidiso Mokebisi (15-10-1) V Patience Mastara (5-7-4)

Jnr Featherweight (6 rounds)

Nosiacwase Dube (0-3-2) V Lufuno Mutshayi (1-6-1)

Jnr Featherweight (4 rounds)

Sazisiwe Simon (1-0-0) V Adidya Mimu (1-0-0)

Bantamweight (4 Rounds)

Nomusa Ngema (1-0-0) V Monica Mkandla (1 -0-0)

UNDER CARD

Lightweight (8 rounds)

Katlego Khanyisa (2-0-0) V Sipho Mahlangu (2-1-0)