Bongani Magasela

Bongani Magasela

Sunday afternoon's professional female boxing tournament, presented by promoter Mbali Zantsi and Ekurhuleni mayor Ntombi Mekgwe at the Benoni City Hall, has an added dimension.

Zantsi and Mekgwe aim to present role models to young girls with the intention of encouraging them to redirect their energy into sport.

"There is more to this tournament than fists flying," said Zantsi.

"The mayor has been championing gender equality issues even before she took over from then mayor Duma Nkosi. She now wants to encourage them [girls] to get involved in boxing."

The tournament pits local female fighters against foes from Zimbabwe and Namibia.

Eastern Cape fighters Noni Tenge and Unathi Myekeni will belt it out with Mangalukeni Hamata (Namibia) and Diana Makumbe (Zimbabwe) in the welterweight and junior featherweight divisions.

Queen Tshabalala from Gauteng will fight Joan Muzari (Zimbabwe) in the junior middleweight while Lillian Molalla and Ester Mashelli, both locals, will make their professional debut in the light heavyweight category.

In the men's section, Luyanda Jako from Ekurhuleni will oppose Takalane Dangala for the Gauteng provincial lightweight title, Moses Mobwana (SA) and Leonard Kadifi (Zimbabwe) will do battle in a junior welterweight fight, with Koos Sibiya and Mbulelo Transvaal exchanging leather in the junior featherweight class.

Action kicks off at 2pm and admission is free. The bouts will be televised live by SuperSport.