Western Cape’s rising female boxing star Sonela Mbombo is expecting to continue with her success from amateur to the professional ranks.
The talented fighter had an impressive amateur run and now she wants to translate it to a successful professional career. Mbombo, an elite amateur fighter, has introduced herself to the paid ranks with a second round technical knockout victory against Rethabile Tshepe last weekend on her professional debut. Her outstanding performance against Tshepe from North West has earned her high praises from the South African boxing enthusiasts.
An elated prospect said registering her first victory on professional level was really amazing.
“Recording a victory in the professional ranks feels amazing. It is a different level of competition and for me to come out on top is truly satisfying. The experience was good and I am grateful for the opportunity given to test my skills at this level. I was a bit nervous at the beginning but I have managed to channel the nervousness into focus and determination,” said the youngster.
After her outstanding performance the former amateur star said she is now ready to put her ring craft to the test by sharing a square ring with the best in the business.
“This is a new journey for me and I am expecting to build on my amateur success in order to achieve greatness. So I am ready for the next challenge, I want to test my skills against the top level opponents and push myself to greater heights,” she said.
The 18 year-old emerging star’s boxing skills are honed by her father and the former South African junior featherweight champion Bonani “The Hurricane” Hlwatika. Mbombo’s boxing was inspired by her family boxing history as also her grandfather was a boxer as well.
Talking about coming from a boxing family she said: “Boxing is in my blood, I guess ! My grandfather and father were both boxers and my dad also has a boxing stable where he trained professional boxers,” she said.
Apart from being raised from a boxing family another reason that made her choose boxing was being bullied on the street. “Growing up I would come home crying after being bullied and my father would encourage me to do boxing rather than self defence classes and start boxing. I started training at his gym and I first impressed them on my first sparring session and since then I have never looked back. Being surrounded by boxing people my whole life, it came natural that I followed in their footsteps . I have been going to the gym with my dad since I was young and it’s become a huge part of who I am,” explained Mbombo.
The up and coming ring queen started competing on unpaid ranks in 2022, taking part at the national games. According to her, the experience was incredible and she won a gold medal. In the following year she further won another gold medal along with the best boxer and best bout trophies .
Her impressive ring craft continued to earn herself more accolades at the amatuer level. Before turning professional this year she won another gold medal and the best boxer trophy.
Reminiscing about her amateur days the hard working fighter said: “It has been a journey and I am grateful for the support and opportunities I have had. I was both Western Cape and South African amateur champion,” she concluded.
