NEW horizons are opening up for Africa's first women's world boxing champion, Noni "She Bee Stingin" Tenge.
The Eastern Cape-born fighter, who holds the IBF welterweight title, could add the WBC strap to her collection.
The Mexico-based sanctioning body first awarded her the No2 spot in the ratings and then invited her to challenge champion Cecilia Braekhus in Germany.
The WBC made the offer via Peter Ngatane, a member of its board of governors. Ngatane was not available for comment yesterday but Boxing SA director of operations Loyiso Mtya confirmed the invitation.
"The WBC sent an e-mail to Peter who then forwarded it to his colleagues on the board and myself. I then faxed it to Tenge's manager S'Phatho (Handi)," Mtya said yesterday, adding that the offer was proof to the rest of the world that women's boxing in the country was alive and well.
Handi said: "I have already responded to BSA and also forwarded the letter to Tenge's promoter (Branco Milenkovic). As Noni's management, we want to grab the opportunity with both hands."
Milenkovic described the offer by the WBC as "wonderful" but said "first things first". "Noni will make her defence of the IBF title in East London soon and then we will entertain the unification bout with Cecilia," he said.
South Africans, East Londoners in particular, did not witness the glorious moment when the local girl made history on June 11 by winning the IBF belt from New Zealander Daniella Smith in Brakpan. Milenkovic presented the bout without TV coverage. The 29-year-old Tenge stopped the 39-year-old defending champion in five rounds. That victory has changed Tenge's life for the better.
"I'm delighted to be part of that change although the fight hit me hard in the pocket," Milenkovic said.
WBC title offer for Tenge
NEW horizons are opening up for Africa's first women's world boxing champion, Noni "She Bee Stingin" Tenge.
The Eastern Cape-born fighter, who holds the IBF welterweight title, could add the WBC strap to her collection.
The Mexico-based sanctioning body first awarded her the No2 spot in the ratings and then invited her to challenge champion Cecilia Braekhus in Germany.
The WBC made the offer via Peter Ngatane, a member of its board of governors. Ngatane was not available for comment yesterday but Boxing SA director of operations Loyiso Mtya confirmed the invitation.
"The WBC sent an e-mail to Peter who then forwarded it to his colleagues on the board and myself. I then faxed it to Tenge's manager S'Phatho (Handi)," Mtya said yesterday, adding that the offer was proof to the rest of the world that women's boxing in the country was alive and well.
Handi said: "I have already responded to BSA and also forwarded the letter to Tenge's promoter (Branco Milenkovic). As Noni's management, we want to grab the opportunity with both hands."
Milenkovic described the offer by the WBC as "wonderful" but said "first things first". "Noni will make her defence of the IBF title in East London soon and then we will entertain the unification bout with Cecilia," he said.
South Africans, East Londoners in particular, did not witness the glorious moment when the local girl made history on June 11 by winning the IBF belt from New Zealander Daniella Smith in Brakpan. Milenkovic presented the bout without TV coverage. The 29-year-old Tenge stopped the 39-year-old defending champion in five rounds. That victory has changed Tenge's life for the better.
"I'm delighted to be part of that change although the fight hit me hard in the pocket," Milenkovic said.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos