Fighting three divisions above her normal weight, Nozipho Bell suffered a third round stoppage loss to Russian boxer Albina Moldazhanova in Russia on Saturday evening.
Bell, the current South African female junior-lightweight champion, fought in the welterweight division against the 23-year-old Russian.
“We retired in the third round even though it was a beautiful performance from Bell against the Russian. We fought at a heavier division. It became clear that the weight was too much for us thus I took a decision to end the fight,” Bell’s trainer Lonwabo Witbooi said.
Witbooi added: “I kept the fight under wraps so as not to put Bell under unnecessary pressure. I’m thankful to Boxing South Africa for being helpful and made sure that Bell travelled to Russia.”
This was the Walmer-born Bell’s second fight this year having stopped Abongile Lubambo in the eighth round in Gqeberha five months ago.
