Smith ready for historic clash

DANIELLA "The Diamond" Smith is delighted to be part of South African boxing history at Carnival City, Brakpan, on Saturday night.

The New Zealander will defend her IBF women's welterweight title against local wondergirl Noni "She Bee Stingin" Tenge.

This will be the first legitimate women's world title fight on the continent. It will top the Pride and Glory box-and-dine six-bout bill that will be presented by promoter Branco "Big B" Milenkovic's Branco Sports Productions.

This will be Smith's mandatory defence against Tenge, 28, who is from Mooiplaas in Eastern Cape.

The champion, who turns 39 on July 30, told Sowetan in an exclusive interview yesterday that she had travelled to South Africa with a winning mentality.

"I wouldn't have travelled halfway around the world if I didn't believe in winning," Smith said.

She added: "I don't underestimate or disrespect Noni and I've never done that to any of my opponents. I think any fighter fighting for a world title will be strong and fit but it comes down to the strongest and the one who wants it so much."

Smith won the title in November by defeating Jennifer Retzke on a unanimous points decision after 10 rounds in Germany.

She promised to give her heart and soul on Saturday night. Smith has won 10 fights on points against one defeat, while Tenge is undefeated in 10 fights with eight stoppages.

"Wait and see," said Smith when asked to predict the outcome.

Tenge will be a closed book since Smith has not seen video footage of her fights. But this does not bother her because she previously defeated opponents she saw fighting for the first time on the day of their fights. Her fight against Retzke in Germany on November 12 was voted the IBF's 2010 women fight of the year on Friday.