By Monwabisi Jimlongo
Walking away with the Female Boxer of the Year award at the South African Boxing Awards ceremony held at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban last Friday is serving as a motivation to Simangele ‘Smash’ Hadebe.
The award came at a time when Hadebe is preparing to face off against Mexican boxer Alma Melissa Meraz Rodriguez in a World Boxing Council (WBC) International female flyweight title in Johannesburg on Saturday, 12 August.
“I’m happy and honoured. Thank you to the people who recognised me. I’m the first female to win an ABU title. Winning the award is going to help me. Actually, this is a big motivation for me as I’m preparing for my next fight,” Hadebe remarked.
Hadebe has added that they are making progress in their fight preparations ahead of next month’s fight even though her opponent is more like a closed book to her.
“We don’t know much about her. I’m seeing some of her clips on YouTube. We’re preparing too hard to win the title. It’s gonna be war,” Hadebe said.
Meanwhile, the Mexican lass once challenged for the World Boxing Association (WBA) female junior-flyweight title, but lost the fight to her compatriot Maria Guadalupe Bautista Hernandez in September 2021.
The 30-year-old Meraz will go to the fight with a professional record of 10 victories (two knockouts), three defeats and a draw.
