African Boxing Union (ABU) and South African female flyweight champion Simangele ‘Smash’ Hadebe insists she will come out victorious in her international title fight next month.
Hadebe will face Mexican boxer Alma Melissa Meraz Rodriguez in a World Boxing Council (WBC) international female flyweight title in Johannesburg on Saturday, 12 August.
Speaking to SABC Sport, Smash says she’s certain she will bring the title home.
"I'm preparing very hard to win this title. There's no way that I can say it's going to Mexico. As my opponent is saying she's gonna knock me out but I don't see that happening, so, we definitely going to have a win in August, there's no doubt about that," Hadebe said.
Hadebe was crowned Female Boxer of the Year at the South African Boxing Awards at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban on Friday.
She says this award has encouraged her to continue working hard to win this title.
"It has already motivated me to work as hard, to train as hard, to focus because I definitely want this title. You only get one shot, so, this is my shot and I'm gonna definitely take it in August by winning this fight," Hadebe added.
Hadebe walked away with the Female Prospect of the Year award both in 2017 and 2018, and says Boxing SA has always recognised her hard work.
"Winning the Female Boxer of the Year award, I do think my work has been recognised since I started boxing because previously in 2017 and 2018 I won The Female Prospect of the Year. So, from Female Prospect of the Year to Female Boxer of the Year, that's a huge improvement for me."
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