All gloves are off: Nonina is set for Zambian fight

GIYANI – BUKIWE Nonina, a boxer at the Giyani Boxing Club, will travel to Zambia where she hopes to win the World Boxing Council (WBC) silver title, which is currently in the hands of Zambian boxing champion, Catherine Phiri.

Nonina’s trainer, Emmanuel Mutavhatsindi, spoke to the media recently and said the fight was scheduled for November 22, which is also Nonina’s birthday. He said they were ready to return with the title.

“We’re preparing day and night to ensure we bring home that WBC belt. The Zambians should not make the mistake to think that we are going there for a holiday,” he said.

Nonina said winning the WBC title would be the best birthday present she could hope for.

“Phiri must not harbour false hopes that she will win, because I will not travel all the way to Zambia to lose, especially on my birthday,” she explained, saying she could not afford to disappoint her father, Matshibhasi, who is also her assistant manager.

Nonina has a record of eight fights with six wins, while Phiri has a record of nine fights, all victories.

Asked if the fight did not scare her, Nonina said she had nothing to fear from her opponent.

“Her record is the last thing to worry about, even her muscular body doesn’t scare me a bit. I’m ready to break her record right now,” she said.

Phiri’s coach, Mike Zulu, said he was not moved by Nonina’s threats to dent Phiri’s unbeaten record. He said Nonina was in for a shock when she arrives in Zambia.

“Boxers talk like that. She can talk all she wants, but she doesn’t know what she will find here,” he said.