Simangele ‘Smash’ Hadebe is R50 000 richer after she won the Female Boxer of the Year award at the South African Boxing Awards event held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban on Friday evening.
Hadebe, the reigning African Boxing Union (ABU) and South African female flyweight champion, won the award ahead of Bukiwe Nonina and Hedda Wolmarans, who were competing with her.
On the other hand, International Boxing Federation (IBF) junior-flyweight champion Sivenathi ‘Special One’ Nontshinga won the Male Boxer of the Year gong.
Nontshinga didn’t attend the event because he’s in camp ahead of Sunday’s world title defence against Filipino boxer Regie ‘Filipino Phenom’ Suganob at the East London International Convention Centre (ICC).
The 24-year-old Nontshinga from East London won the IBF title after he outpointed Mexican Hector Flores in Hermosillo, Mexico, in September last year.
All the award winners:
Female Fight of the Year: Thema Zuma v Bathabile Ziqubu
Male Fight of Year: Phumelela Cafu v Jackson Chauke
Ring Official of the Year: Pumeza Zinakile
Trainer of the Year: Khangelani Jack
Reporter of the Year: Thabiso Mosia
Manager of the Year: Damien Durandt
Matchmaker of the Year: Abbey Mnisi
Female Prospect of the Year: Monalisa Takane
Male Prospect of the Year: Donjuan van Heerden
Ring Announcer of the Year: Sipho Mashego
Knockout of the Year: Landile Ngxeke v Athenkosi Dumezweni
Aspiring Promoter of the Year: Nomvelo Shezi (Mvelo Boxing Promotions)
Promoter of the Year: Ayanda Matiti (Xaba Promotions)
Male Boxer of the Year: Sivenathi Nontshinga
Female Boxer of the Year: Simangele Hadebe
