SOMETHING unusual happened in the boxers' anterooms after Rita "Shot Gun" Mrwebi's fight against Mapule "Thunder" Ngubane at the Walter Sisulu University Hall in Butterworth on Saturday.
Mrwebi and her opponent wept uncontrollably minutes after their fight ended for the South African welterweight title contest.
Initially, it was difficult to figure out as to why SA female welterweight champion Mrwebi and Ngubane were shedding tears. But it became clear once the adversaries started speaking out that both boxers were unhappy with their performances when Mrwebi successfully defended her crown for the second time.
All three judges - Alan Matakane (98-94), Siya Vabaza (96-95) and Lulama Mtya (98-94) had given Mrwebi the nod as the deserving winner.
Mthatha-born Mrwebi, who fights out of Johannesburg, was not satisfied with her performance.
"I'm not happy with how I fought today," said a sobbing Mrwebi.
"I underestimated Mapule and she showed me what a good boxer she is.
"She fought very well throughout the fight. That means that I will have to improve on my performance the next time I fight."
Ngubane said: "Rita is a good boxer and she hurt me with her heavy blows. I'm not complaining about the the result as I couldn't catch her properly with my blows.
"She was better than me throughout the fight and I wish her all the best of luck. She's a worthy champion, who deserved to win this fight."
Truth be told, the stocky Mrwebi was a shadow of the boxer who stopped Shayvonne Pattison at the same Butterworth venue on May 19.
Mrwebi took the fight to the challenger from the first bell and used her left jab followed by heavy punches. But there were moments when the lanky Ngubane, who had a reach advantage, troubled Mrwebi with her left jab.
Meanwhile, Mrwebi said she is ready to give Ngubane a rematch and show boxing lovers that she can improve on her performance. "I'm going to give her a rematch if she wants to fight me again."
It's the crying game at title fight
SOMETHING unusual happened in the boxers' anterooms after Rita "Shot Gun" Mrwebi's fight against Mapule "Thunder" Ngubane at the Walter Sisulu University Hall in Butterworth on Saturday.
Mrwebi and her opponent wept uncontrollably minutes after their fight ended for the South African welterweight title contest.
Initially, it was difficult to figure out as to why SA female welterweight champion Mrwebi and Ngubane were shedding tears. But it became clear once the adversaries started speaking out that both boxers were unhappy with their performances when Mrwebi successfully defended her crown for the second time.
All three judges - Alan Matakane (98-94), Siya Vabaza (96-95) and Lulama Mtya (98-94) had given Mrwebi the nod as the deserving winner.
Mthatha-born Mrwebi, who fights out of Johannesburg, was not satisfied with her performance.
"I'm not happy with how I fought today," said a sobbing Mrwebi.
"I underestimated Mapule and she showed me what a good boxer she is.
"She fought very well throughout the fight. That means that I will have to improve on my performance the next time I fight."
Ngubane said: "Rita is a good boxer and she hurt me with her heavy blows. I'm not complaining about the the result as I couldn't catch her properly with my blows.
"She was better than me throughout the fight and I wish her all the best of luck. She's a worthy champion, who deserved to win this fight."
Truth be told, the stocky Mrwebi was a shadow of the boxer who stopped Shayvonne Pattison at the same Butterworth venue on May 19.
Mrwebi took the fight to the challenger from the first bell and used her left jab followed by heavy punches. But there were moments when the lanky Ngubane, who had a reach advantage, troubled Mrwebi with her left jab.
Meanwhile, Mrwebi said she is ready to give Ngubane a rematch and show boxing lovers that she can improve on her performance. "I'm going to give her a rematch if she wants to fight me again."
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