Asanda Simelane is highly disappointed after spending weeks hitting the bags, preparing to fight against Sibulele Soboois, only for their clash to be called off 48 hours before it was actually due to take place.
The 27-year-old Simelane was scheduled to face Soboois in an African Boxing Union (ABU) SADC flyweight title contest at the Grand West Casino in Goodwood, Cape Town, this past Saturday.
“It came as a shock. At first, I didn’t believe it until my trainer said “eat and drink water to regain some energy”. It’s draining to have prepared for two months, it was not just a fight, but a title fight, so you can tell the difference,” Simelane said.
The Badplaas-born Simelane added: “When they postponed it the first time I understood, but this time it just hit hard. They told us that they are postponing, so we hope they will give us a new date soon.”
Simelane, who is based in Marikana, Rustenburg, declined offers to fight in other tournaments as she wanted to focus on the Soboois bout.
“Some other promoters wanted to put me in their bills and I declined because I was supposed to fight for the ABU title and now that it’s postponed, their bills are complete, they cannot squeeze me in. So, I guess I’ll wait until Fighters Club gives me another date,” she said.
Simelane has not fought since she registered a split decision victory over Nozwelethu Mathontsi in a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa female flyweight title fight in September last year. – Monwabisi Jimlongo
