International Boxing Federation (IBF) Africa female bantamweight champion Ellen ‘Tigress’ Simwaka has revealed that she believed in herself before and during her fight against Sharadene Fortuin in Johannesburg on Thursday evening.
The Malawian won the fight by a split decision after Simon Mokadi scored it 98-91 and Tony Nyangiwe 95-94 in her favour with Sylvia Mokaila having Fortuin winning by 95-94.
“So exciting. I give glory to God who gives me strength. I’ve worked really hard for this fight. I believed in myself,” Simwaka said.
Simwaka took the fight to Fortuin from the first bell until the end. She even dropped the Eastern Cape boxer with a powerful right hand in the ninth round.
It was sweet revenge for Simwaka, who lost to Fortuin in Mdantsane in December 2017. And she handed Fortuin her first loss since September 2013 when she lost to Bukiwe Nonina in a South African bantamweight title contest.
This was Lilongwe-born Simwaka’s second win this year having stopped Gabisile Tshabalala four months ago.
