Women’s Day boxing event showcases female talent

Crowds flocked to Springs Mall on Saturday as the Bert Collins Boxing Club delivered a hard-hitting Women’s Day tournament that kept spectators on the edge of their seats.

The event featured 12 bouts, seven of them contested by female boxers from various clubs. Boxers from Eswatini were unable to compete after being involved in an accident on the morning of the tournament.

The opening bout saw the club’s young Devante Coelho and Frederik Dicks charm the crowd as they darted around the ring, trading playful punches.

Bouts were fought over three rounds: one and a half minutes for the youngest girls, two minutes for teenagers, and three minutes for elite competitors.

The first women’s bout pitted Tiffany Potter of Alberton Club against Shreya Maharaj of Hyath Boxing Club. Both landed heavy punches while showing mutual respect, but Potter took the win.

Marichanka Hoffman of Tuine Boxing Club, who faced Amanda Mudzielwana in the fifth bout, admitted she was unfit after being ill and unable to train.

Hoffman still claimed victory, saying their rematch was much improved from their last meeting. She described the women’s tournament as vital for inspiring more girls to take up the sport.

“It is amazing to see girls in the tournament because there are few of us. Support from coaches is limited, and we don’t get the same attention as the boys,” Hoffman said.

With the schedule shortened due to the accident, Hoffman joked that it was odd to see men competing in a women’s event.
Kutlwano Tlapu of Hotbox Boxing Club won the sixth bout against Nebeela Karrim of The Parks, calling her opponent “a good challenge”.

The win was significant for Tlapu after a previous loss.

“To the female boxers, this is our sport. It has been male-dominated for a long time, but it’s one we can dominate as well,” she said.

Coach Jennifer Matibi from Fight With Insight said she was pleased to see a tournament that celebrates women in boxing, given the lack of coverage the women receive.

“These ladies do the sport for love and passion, and a lot of them are not being paid. More funds should be invested in women’s boxing,” she said.

In the men’s division, Tristan van Tonder of Bert Collins beat Wade Frankenburg of Booysen Club on points, 3–0. Event organiser Jeanette Dyzel thanked supporters, Springs Mall, and the sponsors.

“Coaches Minnet Kritzinger and Frans van Biljon were pleased with our boxers’ performance and will work hard on the mistakes we picked up during the bouts,” she said.

Other female results:
– Bout 2: Raquel Samson defeated Tazkia Gouden
– Bout 3: Kate Ugat defeated Leilane Hoffman
– Bout 4: Talita Roos defeated Thabo Morayne
– Bout 7: Minke Muller vs Vuyiswa Mgolo – Show bout