SA boxer Simangele Hadebe in Mexico for world title fight

By Nozibusiso Sibiya
3rd April 2025

South African boxer Simangele Hadebe is positive about her chances of winning the World Boxing Council Silver Flyweight title against Gabriela Sanchez after sparring with Sequence Nqothula and Sivenathi Nontshinga ahead of the title challenge this Friday.

Hadebe jetted off to Mexico on Sunday.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Hadebe believes that because of the intensity of her training, she stands a good chance of bringing the title home.

“My preparations with Gabriela have been good, we’ve been working hard since last year, I really haven’t had a break since my last fight. I’ve been working hard and I’ve been sparring with Sequence Nqothula; he was my main sparring. I had a few rounds with Cafu and also Nontshinga of which they gave me good rounds. My preparations are good, I’m feeling positive about the fight and everything,” said Hadebe.

The Limpopo-born boxer was meant to fight Sanchez in May last year for the IBF Intercontinental title, however, the fight was postponed due to the Mexican boxer citing personal reasons.

Hadebe says she’s extremely confident that she can snatch the title from Sanchez.

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“I am definitely aiming for this title and I do believe that I will bring it back home with all the support that I have. I know it’s just the three of us, my coach Khangelani Jack, my manager, Colleen McAusland, it’s just the three of us but the support I got at the airport was very overwhelming and it gives me strength to make sure I leave everything I’ve been preparing for in the ring,” she added.

As the sport of boxing is still growing again in South Africa, funding has been a big issue, especially on the women’s side.

Hadebe does mention that even though she didn’t specifically receive any funding from the government, she did receive support from her sponsors.

“I won’t say I had any specific funding for this fight but I do have my usual sponsor, which is RGM Cranes, my US sponsor Discover Sport that just came on board and was able to pay for the livestream link from Mexico so that the whole of South Africa can be able to watch the fight and I’m grateful for the African brand, Architect.

“I’m truly grateful for my sponsors but I did not receive any funding for this trip.”