Nozipho Bell has set her sights on world crowns after successfully retaining her SA Junior lightweight title by knockout against Mashudu Ramakuwele of Limpopo at the Babs Madlakane Community Hall in Kariega on Sunday evening.
The Walmer township boxer brought Ramakuwele down in the second round to defend her title in the Nelson Mandela Promoters Association Boxing Extravaganza.
In the main supporting bout, Makhanda’s Mziwoxolo Ndwayana won by TKO in the last round against Nicholas Jooga, of Uganda, in a welterweight international contest.
Bell was on the brink of losing her IBF Intercontinental junior-lightweight title for not defending it since winning it in December 2021.
However, she was given a three-month extension by the IBF on November 22 to defend it or risk being stripped of it.
To avoid the risk of losing her title, Bell's immediate plan is to get back in the ring.
“First I would like to thank Nyusa Boxing Promotions for being able to work with other promoters in making sure that the event happened,” Bell said.
“I was well prepared for the fight, though I had thought I would be fighting for my IBF title by this time. But, hopefully early next year I will be defending it.
“However, it was also very important for me to defend my SA title because this was my second fight this year and also on the world rating I was high up there.
“We all know that once you don’t fight you drop on the world ratings.
I’ve promised that early next year I will be defending my IBF title, meaning I’ll move even higher on the rankings.
“My wish is that I defend my IBF early next year so that I can go back to fighting for world titles,” she said.
Before Sunday’s fight, Bell’s camp were hit by the sad news that her manager, Ndumiso “Bra Ndumza” Fina, had died.
Bell dedicated her win to Fina.
“I felt his presence on match day. I had so much strength.
“It was also my wish to win the fight by knockout and that happened in the second round.
“Also my wish for next year is to fight against tougher opponents than the ones I’ve been fighting.”
Results of other bouts:
Mini-flyweight: Liyema Bolo lost on TKO 3rd round to Ntshidzeni Mashila (Limpopo)
Jnr-flyweight: Nwabisile Cholani (Plettenberg Bay) drew with Masivuye Piliso (Ginsberg)
Jnr-lightweight: Khayalethu Ngqani (Gqeberha) lost on KO 3rd round to Mbuyiseli Ndukwana (Plettenberg Bay)
Jnr-bantamweight: Ayanda Gangqa (Gqeberha) lost on points to Siphosethu Mhlahlo (Chintsa)
Featherweight: Mbulelo Gwabeni (Gqeberha) lost on TKO round 5 to Mvuzo Kotobe (Cumakala)
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