By Monwabisi Jimlongo
It looks like Nozwelethu Mathontsi’s days as a South African female junior-flyweight champion are numbered if Owethu Rula from Gqeberha is to be believed.
The 25-year-old Rula is aiming to end Mathontsi’s nine-year reign as an SA champion when they square up at the Orient Theatre in East London on Friday, 25 August.
“I’m challenging Nozwelethu in East London next month. I’m going there to fight and take the title. I know that Nozwelethu is an experienced boxer, but her time as a champion is over now. We are training very hard and we are sure that we’re going there to take the title,” a confident Rula said.
Trained by Caiphus Ntante, Rula is the reigning Eastern Cape flyweight champion, having won the title after she defeated Emihle Ntunja from Mthatha at the Wells Estate Multipurpose Centre, Gqeberha, in April.
Rula, who is an IT specialist, is not even concerned about Ntante’s absence from her corner when she faces Mathontsi. Ntante is going to be away in Auckland, New Zealand, where he will usher Razell Mohamed to battle when she challenges International Boxing Federation (IBF) female heavyweight titlist Te Arani Moarana ‘Lani’ Daniels on Saturday, 26 August.
“My coach continues to prepare me for the fight and I don’t think his absence from my corner will be a problem,” Rula, who has three wins and three defeats, remarked.
Meanwhile, Mathontsi from Mdantsane has not fought since her stoppage loss to Tanzanian opponent Halima Vunjabei at the Meropa Casino, Polokwane, in September 2021.
Mathontsi has been an SA champion since she dethroned Lisbeth Sivhaga at the Orient Theatre in East London in June 2014 and has defended her title twice against Nthabiseng Didi. She has registered nine victories (three stoppages) and two losses.
