African Boxing Union (ABU) and South African female flyweight champion Simangele ‘Smash’ Hadebe insists she’s ready to defend her ABU title against Tanzania’s Jesca Mfinanga next week.
Initially, Hadebe was meant to fight Mexican boxer Gabriela Sanchez for the IBF Intercontinental in Johannesburg on 24 May, however, Sanchez cancelled the fight due to personal reasons. Hadebe is however looking forward to fighting Mfinanga and retaining her title.
“I will be fighting Jesca Mfinanga from Tanzania next week on the 22nd of June, I'll be defending my ABU for the second time. Unfortunately, I didn't choose my opponent but ABU sanctioned her to be the next qualifier to challenge for the ABU," Hadebe said.
Since Hadebe had already been preparing for her international fight against Sanchez, she believes she's ready to take on another opponent even though she hasn't rested after the cancelled fight.
"I'm fully prepared for this fight. I haven't had a decent break as I was supposed to be fighting on the 24th of May, last month against a boxer from Mexico, of which it didn't happen. I continued with training and I'm definitely coming victorious on the 22nd of June. My title is not going anywhere," she added.
Hadebe has only one fight planned for the year which is where she'll be defending her ABU title. She has been very vocal about how Boxing South Africa should organise more fights for SA boxers. She says her initial goal for the remainder of the year is to win an international belt.
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