Bernice ‘The Badger’ Ferreira made history on two fronts after she defeated French-born Canadian, Caroline Veyre, at the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America (USA) on Sunday morning, South African time.
Ferreira, who entered the ring as an International Boxing Organisation (IBO) junior-lightweight champion, became the first South African female boxer to rule in the WBC after fight referee, Malik Waleed from Maryland in the US, disqualified Veyre for excessive holding in the eighth round.
Before that, one point had already been deducted from the 37-year-old Veyre, who is based in Montreal, in rounds four and seven for excessive holding.
The 34-year-old unbeaten Ferreira, a former South African junior-lightweight titlist, is now the first female boxer in Africa to become a unified world champion.
Ferreira, who won the IBO title after she outpointed Malawian opponent, Ellen Simwaka, at the Wild Coast Sun, Bizana, three months ago, has improved her record to 11 wins while Veyre has won 11 bouts and lost twice.
