Nhliziyo wins in South Africa, eyes Bulawayo debut

SEHLISELWE Nhliziyo who put up a sterling performance to beat Eastern Cape champion Babalwa Ngqongqotho in a six-round bantamweight boxing contest by a split judges’ decision is now focusing on another good performance when she fights on home soil next month.

Her Lobengula Boxing Academy camp has had preliminary discussions with the promoters of the tournament lined up for Bulawayo on October 28.

“We will take a break of a week or two and then back to training and preparations for what could be our first fight at home,” said her coach and manager Anderson Sibanda.

With a draw and two losses in her bantamweight campaign on what appears on Boxing Records (Boxrec), Nhliziyo went into the fight as an underdog.

She was expected to offer token opposition against a boxer who dreams of clinching the South African bantamweight title but she had a game plan up her sleeves not to lose according to Sibanda her trainer.

“Our game went as planned on Saturday night. The first round was for us to see what our opponents had brought for us. After that we went for her, she gave us a good fight,” said Sibanda who is disappointed that his boxer’s other fights were not recorded by Boxrec, a site that keeps records and rankings of professional boxers.

Sibanda said Ngqongqotho was good using her long reach advantage but got tired on the fifth round allowing Nhliziyo to pummel her to near submission.

“We took advantage of that and dominated the fight up to the end,” said Sibanda who had predicted a good outing in Klerksdorp in South Africa in the North West.

Sibanda also took the opportunity to make special mention to Revival Motorways for their support of Lobengula Boxing Academy.

“They have been our all weather friends since 2012. They have supported us very well financially and materially,” said Sibanda.

The tournament dubbed “The Rise of Women in Boxing” was promoted by African Child Boxing Promotion.