Gauteng-based promoter Joyce Kungwane of TLB Boxing Promotions is ready to help Melissa Miller get a title defence of her South African female bantamweight belt.
Miller was a last minute replacement for a fight she lost to Simangele Hadebe in a TLB Boxing Promotions tournament, which was promoted in conjunction with the Mpumalanga Department of Sport, Arts, Recreation and Culture at the Graceland Casino in Secunda, Mpumalanga, on Saturday. Miller came in as a late substitute after SA female
flyweight champion Noxolo Makhanavu withdrew from her title defence against Hadebe. Makhanavu collapsed while jogging with her brother Xola Sifama in East London on Tuesday last week.
“I’m glad, we need boxers like Miller. Remember in the last tournament she came in as a substitute. I wish we can have other boxers when there is a space we can call and should not say they need three weeks or a month to prepare. As TLB we’ve made a commitment. We know she holds a bantamweight SA title, we are committing that she defends under TLB,” Kungwane said. Kungwane has revealed her disappointment over the failure to get Hadebe to challenge Makhanavu after she had incurred travelling costs for the East London boxer and her handlers.
“I’m one person who doesn’t want to keep things in my heart. Honestly speaking, I was disappointed. Remember, I incurred wasteful expenditure because I had booked them flights already, for that matter three flights,” Kungwane said.
“I mean as promoters we are really suffering because we have to cater for accommodation of boxers for three nights. If I have any money that is spent unnecessarily or wastefully it really hits in my pocket as a promoter. But I think in due course I will be able to say what. Anyway, I’ve got passion for women. I’m disappointed that we didn’t have a title fight for women. I had tried my best to make sure we had a female title more so it’s long she held the title and had not defended it.”
Miller, meanwhile, is itching for more action after losing to Hadebe on Saturday and she hopes she will be able to defend her crown soon.
“Boxing is our source of income. I have to go the gym, have to get supplements even to provide for the family. It’s a tough thing, we are hungry for more fights. We take fights because we need the money. And also there is not enough female fights, we don’t get exposure. We can’t show our true potential. At the moment, I’m looking for an opponent,” Miller said.
On the other hand, KwaThemba-born Hadebe is still looking forward to fighting for the national flyweight title despite last week’s disappointment.
“To be honest, this weight is actually new to me. I’m still searching for opponents. South Africa doesn’t have many flyweights. It has been a long wait. My manager is really trying to get the SA title. I will go back to the gym. I will stay prepared and get ready for any fight,” Hadebe said.
