Smash Leads Historic Women’s Boxing Bill as Cape Town Hosts Record Five Title Fights

Women’s boxing will take centre stage in Cape Town on Saturday when some of South Africa’s leading fighters feature on the Fight Like a Woman: Battle at the Island card at GrandWest Grand Arena.

The event, promoted by Fighters Club Promotions, will feature an unprecedented five women’s championship bouts, highlighting the continued growth of women’s boxing in South Africa.

Leading the bill is 31-year-old Simangele “Smash” Hadebe, who takes on Owethu Rula for the vacant WBF world flyweight title.

The reigning South African national and WBO Africa champion is looking to bounce back from her defeat to Sibulele Soboois earlier this year and says preparations have gone well.

“Preparations are going well. I’m almost on weight. Just this week, I’m minding my weight and eating less, less and less,” Hadebe told SizaNazo365.

The boxer has spent more than two months in camp and is confident heading into Saturday’s contest.

“We’re ready for this one. We’re ready to grab the WBF. I’m definitely looking forward to this one,” she said.

Rula enters the fight having recorded consecutive victories over Zizo Skoti and Mihle Tuli, but Hadebe believes her team has done enough homework to prepare for what awaits.

“We’ve done our game plan. I won’t take it out right now, but we’ve done very good research and we know how she fights,” Hadebe said.

The bout was initially scheduled as a South African title defence before being upgraded to a WBF world championship contest.

Smash Leads Historic Women’s Boxing Bill as Cape Town Hosts Record Five Title Fights (Graphic: SizaNazo365 | Image: McAusland Boxing Management)

Hadebe is also relishing the opportunity to compete on a card packed with women’s championship fights, particularly during Women’s Month.

“It’s Women’s Month. I’m going to fight also, and I think we’re going to put up a good fight because there are other female bouts on the bill. Good female bouts, good titles also. Females are getting to defend the titles. We just need all the support we can get,” she said.

Another major flyweight contest will see Soboois face Asanda Simelane for the vacant ABU SADC flyweight championship, while three national women’s titles will also be contested.

The official press conference and weigh-in will take place on Friday at SN Boxing Gym in Edgemead, with proceedings beginning at 13:00. The public is welcome to attend the official build-up to Saturday’s fight night.

The Fight Like a Woman: Battle at the Island programme gets underway at 18:00 on Saturday at GrandWest Grand Arena. Tickets are available through iTickets.