By Linda Ximba
Mooi River – Rising boxing star Nobengazi Booth has etched his name into South
African boxing history after becoming the first local boxer to simultaneously hold two
titles following a dominant victory on Friday night.
Booth claimed the KwaZulu-Natal junior middleweight title after defeating Noxolo
Mkhasibe in a fierce bout at Bruntville Hall in Mooi River. The hard-hitting contest
saw Booth take control early, overwhelming his opponent with relentless pressure
and powerful combinations.
Already entering the fight as the Mpumalanga junior middleweight champion, a title
he secured late last year after defeating Alima Nkosi in Middelburg, Booth showed
why he is quickly becoming one of the most exciting prospects in women’s boxing.
The fight reached a dramatic moment in the eighth round, when the referee stepped
in to protect Mkhasibe after Booth’s sustained assault.
Speaking after the bout, Booth credited the guidance and discipline instilled by her
coaches at Nkonjane Boxing Gym.
“We train hard and they always push me to stay ready for every fight,” Booth said
after the historic victory.
The event, themed Women in Boxing, also showcased other impressive
performances from fighters trained at the same gym.
Nonkululeko Mncube successfully defended the KZN junior bantamweight title,
defeating Thema “Stone Cold” Zuma on points after a heated contest that intensified
in the later rounds.
In another closely contested clash, Mapule “Thunder” Ngubane used her experience
to secure a points victory over Wendy Gcadu in a bout that many believed could
easily have been staged for the super middleweight title. Ngubane is currently the
national champion in junior middleweight, while Gcadu holds the national super
middleweight crown.
The historic event was organised by three female promoters from KwaZulu-Natal:
Zandile Malinga of Starline Boxing Promotions, Hlengiwe Dladla of Hle Jobs Boxing
Promotions, and Nomvelo Magcaba-Shezi of Mvelo Boxing Promotions.
Other results from the night included Ayanda Ndonyela defeating Nolwazi Myingwa
by points in the super middleweight division, Lethukuthula Sibisi stopping Anoyolo
Qawule in the third round in the featherweight division, and Nolwazi Mabaso
defeating Misiwe Ndlovu by points.
