A Randburg boxing event has made history. A mother has stepped into the ring to raise awareness about childhood illnesses, in what organisers have described as a first for South Africa.

The white-collar boxing event, hosted by Shoneez Ganie, known as Warrior Mom, was held at WeBox in Randburg, which sponsored the venue for the occasion.

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The event brought together fighters, sponsors, and community supporters around a single cause:

Shining a light on the silent battles faced by families dealing with childhood illness.

Ganie entered the ring not simply as a competitor, but as a symbol. She carried with her the experience of countless parents who have spent long nights in hospital corridors, clinging to hope and holding themselves together for the sake of their children.

@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Shoneez ‘Warrior Mom’ Ganie speaks at the boxing event. Video: Nkazimulo Ncube #Randburg #Boxing ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

For her, climbing through the ropes was as much a personal act of courage as it was a public statement. “This fight meant more to me than words can ever express.”

Her preparation was handled by Koopmans Boxing Gym in Bedfordview, whose trainers worked to ensure she was ready, not only physically, but emotionally and mentally for the weight of the moment. Their role, as those close to the event described it, was not simply to produce a fighter; it was to help shape a symbol of strength.

The event drew widespread support from sponsors and participants who chose to stand behind the cause. Each fighter who took part was praised for turning awareness into action, stepping beyond personal challenge to represent something far greater than themselves.

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Ganie said the gathering proved the power of community, with boxing gyms coming together across the region to create a movement that sparked conversation well beyond Randburg’s borders.

This was the first white-collar boxing event of its kind dedicated to childhood illnesses in South Africa, but those behind it say it will not be the last.

The vision, they say, is bigger than a single night, a single fight, or a single ring.

For Ganie, and those who stood with her, the message was simple: Behind every sick child is a mother still standing.

A big thank you to all the hero sponsors involved:

• WEBOX
• KOOPMANS BOXING GYM
• DAMASCUS BOXING
• BRAWL GEAR
• HOUSE OF CHAMPIONS
• SOLLY CORNER NORWOOD
• MARLBORO PERI-PERI CHICKEN TIKKA
• MOCHACHOS RANDBURG
• DEVLAND CASH AND CARRY
• MISS ROYAL GLOBAL QUEENS
• THE SNAP CO
• NE X BRAND ELEVATING YOUR BRAND
• AD WAY BRANDING, DESIGN AND PRINT
• ADVANCED INFRASTRUCTURE
• CFT LABELS
• MASTER CRAFT AND GIFTING
• T3 PLASTIC PACKAGE
• MR MUGS
• JOFLA EVENTS
• PARTY BUBBLES
• INSPIRE RENTALS
• SPLASH LIFE WATER
• LOCK STOCK AND BEER
• AV Malformation Warrior NPC

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