Nelson Mandela Bay professional boxer Owethu Rula is primed and ready to defend her Eastern Cape flyweight title against Cape Town contender Zizipho Skoti.
The much-anticipated bout is the headliner of the International Women’s Day Boxing Tournament taking place at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton on Saturday.
The last time Rula defended her title was against Buffalo City’s Mihle Tuli in November 2024.
Though she has little knowledge of her opponent, Rula is confident she will retain her belt.
“I have prepared well for the fight. It’s been three months coming so I am ready and fit for the fight,” Rula said.
“I don’t know much about my opponent Zizo other than what I have heard from people.
“I have never actually seen her fight, but it is boxing at the end of the day.
“We have both been preparing for the fight and it will be about who is bringing their mind into the game.
“After this fight, we are looking at an international bout.
“There have been whispers that I might be going to campaign overseas and I am looking forward to that.
“But I would love to finish what we started here, be an SA champ first, and go overseas knowing I have an SA belt under my wing.”
Bay sports, recreation, arts and culture acting executive director Charmaine Williams said the R5m three-year partnership between the Nelson Mandela Bay Promoters’ Association and the municipality had come to an end.
Because of financial challenges in the municipality, they had to reduce the sponsorship.
She said the association should not only rely on the municipality’s aid but also look for other financial support, especially from local businesses.
“So, to the NMB Boxing Promoters’ Association, yes, we have struck this partnership with you but you need to work much harder to satisfy the needs of the professional boxing fraternity,” she said at the media launch this week.
“Also, you need to work much harder to ensure business confidence in what we want to achieve here. As the municipality, we will always be your partner.
“It’s good to know that we are still one of the few municipalities that have such an agreement to promote professional boxing.
“But I want to speak further about the significance of this tournament on March 8 being International Women’s Day.
“It is significant because the proclamation of International Women’s Day has put a focus on women’s rights issues internationally.
“Also, in SA we have tried to get women to be in leading positions but also women to become actively involved in sports, business, in culture, and everywhere.”
Other bouts will see former WBF world and IBF intercontinental champion and current SA junior-lightweight title holder Nozipho Bell up against Abongile Libamba from East London over eight rounds in a non-title fight.
Likhona Mazeke will fight against Asemahle Dwana in a four-round junior featherweight bout, Bandile Daniels will be up against Lubabalo Bokuva in a junior-lightweight six-round fight and Mbuyiseli Ndukwane will take on Luthando Mnkwini in a six-round lightweight fight.
The event is staged by UBP Promotions and the NMB Promoters’ Association in partnership with the municipality.
Admission is R100 for adults and R50 for children and doors open at 2pm.
The Herald
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.