By Mesuli Zifo
Well accustomed by now to constantly changing the face of the boxing landscape in South Africa, charismatic promoter Branco Milenkovic tackles yet another history-making venture at the Carnival City Big Top Arena, Johannesburg, South Africa, on June 11.
Thanks to the three-time IBF Promoter of the Year’s endeavours, a legitimate women’s world championship tournament will be staged for the first time ever on the African continent at the popular gaming and entertainment venue just east of Johannesburg.
New Zealand based IBF women’s welterweight champion Daniella “The Diamond” Smith will make the first defence of her title against the unbeaten South African challenger Noni “She Bee Stingin” Tenge.
While women’s professional boxing became commonplace elsewhere in the world a number of years ago already, only recently, with the blessing of the government, has it started taking root in South Africa.
It is well documented that women have not only become significant role players in both political and social life in South Africa, but in the sporting sphere as well.
Both fighters boast almost identical records, with the champion Smith having suffered just a single defeat in her 11 fights to date, while Tenge sports an unblemished record of 10 wins and one draw in her 11 bouts, with eight by way of knockout.
It won’t be the first time that the 38-year-old Smith ventures out of her home country to fight in front of a potentially hostile crowd. She annexed the IBF title on 12 November last year in Germany against the overwhelming hometown favourite Jennifer Retzke , who was at that stage unbeaten in 10 professional outings.
Regardless of the records of both fighters, Tenge, who is nine years her opponents’ junior, is not only the big favourite to capture the title, but is fast becoming a role model for women in sport in all of South Africa.
Tickets for the June 11 tournament at Carnival City are R50-00 and R75-00 and can be purchased at Computicket outlets or Checkers stores countrywide.