Reigning South African flyweight female champion Smangele “Smash” Hadebe is expecting a tough battle when she crosses swords with the unbetean Olamiposi Kehinde Solomons.
The two African ring queens will be battling out for the vacant World Boxing Council (WBC) Africa flyweight crown on September 26 at Kagiso Memorial and Recreation Centre. The three-time African Boxing Union (ABU) holder and SA champion came off a defeat four months ago and she is expecting to pull out a victory over her Nigerian counterpart as she continues her pursuit to become a world champion.
Hadebe fell short on her quest to win the WBC Silver flyweight title in the hands of Gabriela Sanchez Saavedra in Mexico. She went to that championship contest with a nine fight winning streak. The 31 year-old boxer wants to tap back to her winning ways, however she knows Solomon is not a pushover and she anticipates a tough encounter. She strongly believes that a victory will open more fight opportunities internationally.
“It is definitely going to be a great fight. I know she is coming for my ratings and I will be fighting to stay at my number one spot on the continental rankings. I am anticipating an epic battle,” said Hadebe.
“Although I have more fight experience, I’m not taking the fight lightly as I’m not experienced at amateur level. I will be well prepared for her. I will be ready for whatever she is bringing to the fight.
The Walkerville based fighter said a victory means a lot to her as she believes it would propel her back to the international stage. Hadebe, who advocates for women and children abuse through boxing, has been in the gym shortly after her April fight in Mexico.
“I returned to the gym shortly after my Mexico fight. I have been preparing for any fight that would come my way. I am a disciplined fighter that waits for a date at the gym. I have been sparring with both southpaw and orthodox fighters to make sure I’m razor sharp for this fight.
“Winning this fight would mean getting back into the ratings and also probably get another shot at other bigger titles.
Talking of her first experience fighting beyond SA borders she said, “It was a very great experience. On foreign soil everybody was against us, we managed to put up a good fight but unfortunately the results didn’t go our way. I have learnt a lot from that fight,” she explained.
