Nelson Mandela Bay’s Razell Mohamed will return home with her head held high despite falling short in her challenge for the IBF heavyweight title in New Zealand at the weekend.
Mohamed became the first SA women’s heavyweight boxer to fight for a world title when she took on New Zealand’s Lani Daniels at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland on Saturday morning (SA time).
Daniels proved to be sharper than Caiph Camp boxer Mohamed and earned a fourth-round standing technical knockout.
The referee was forced to step in midway through the round to give Kiwi Daniels an impressive win.
This was the 34-year-old Daniels’ first defence after she won the IBF belt in May against her Kiwi compatriot Alrie Meleisa, 30.
Though disappointed with the result, Mohamed, who is a schoolteacher at Ankervas Primary in Rocklands, said she had learnt a lot from the experience.
“It was a good experience, I feel like I had a bit of a slow start again,” Mohamed said.
“I was only actually getting into the fight in the third and fourth rounds.
“I am not happy with the stoppage, but it’s fine, we will learn from it and move on.”
Trainer Caiphus Ntante said he was pleased with Mohamed’s performance.
“It was a good fight and a good experience because Razell fought so well, but she was just caught with her guard down and the referee stopped the fight.
“I was happy with her performance up until that stage, but we’ll go back to the drawing board now and see where we can improve.
“Our opponent was a little quicker but we matched up to her level, it was a war and a good fight.
“We are grateful for the hospitality we received and for the opportunity,” Ntante said.
• Nozwekthu Mathontsi proved that her two previous stoppage losses were due to factors outside the ring when she outslugged tough Gqeberha challenger Owethu Rula to retain her SA junior-flyweight title at the Orient Theatre in East London on Friday night.
The fight was highly competitive with Rula, who is a teacher by profession, holding her own while pushing Mathontsi to the limit.
Mathontsi last fought in 2021, when she was stopped in four rounds by Tanzanian Halima Vunjabei, and appeared to be ring rusty in the early rounds.
But she dug deep from her reserves, which has seen her rated as the best boxer in the lighter divisions.
Determined to become the SA champion and start early celebrations for Caiph Camp gymnasium, Rula matched Mathontsi punch for punch in most rounds.
However, the Mdantsane champion pulled away in the championship rounds to leave no doubt about the winner.
The tournament, organised by Zbashy Promotions to commemorate Women’s Month, produced thrilling bouts with the duel between bosom buddies Asindiswa Nxokwana and Babalwa Nonqonqotho stealing the show.
Nxokwana eventually prevailed on points and captured the EC bantamweight crown.
Other results: Abongile Lubambo W6 Azasakhe Jamani (light), Namhla Mankayi TKO2 Amber Cheng (mini-fly), Mihle Tuli TKO3 Hariet Mtende (fly). — Additional reporting by Mesuli Zifo
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