Simangele Hadebe thrilled by Boxing Awards nominations

Smash is nominated in the Female Boxer of the Year and Female Fight of the Year categories.

The ceremony will take place at Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, on Friday, 30 June.

She believes she has earned recognition through her perseverance in the sport.

"I'm happy and excited to be nominated in the two categories. I think I've worked too hard to be where I am and I do think I deserve to be here and to be spotted in those categories as well," she said.

Hadebe is nominated alongside Hedda Wolmarans and Bukiwe Nonina in the Female Boxer of the Year category. Her victory against Stumai Muki of Tanzania where she retained her ABU title landed her the Female Fight of the Year nomination alongside, Asanda Simelani vs. Thapelo Bhokwe, Hedda Wolmarans vs. Ruth Chisane, Sharadene Fortuin vs. Ellen Simwaka, Simangele Hadebe vs. Stumai Muki and Thema Zuma vs. Bathabile Ziqubu.

Hadebe says women’s boxing has developed over the years in South Africa

"To be honest, I think women's boxing is growing in South Africa. According to where I started, I turned professional in 2016, boxing wasn't that much active then because I had to fight the same opponents over and over again," she explained.

"But now there's too much competition, in my division there are upcoming fighters. So, it's good to see such an improvement in all the years."