Tshabalala not on Nonina's range

24 November 2017 - 11:10
By Bongani Magasela
Trainer Emmanuel Mutavhatsindi and Bukiwe 'Anaconda' Nonina.
Image: NYAMBENI MANDIWANA Trainer Emmanuel Mutavhatsindi and Bukiwe 'Anaconda' Nonina.

WBF bantamweight female world champion Bukiwe "Anaconda" Nonina has welcomed the challenge from Gabisile "Simply the Best" Tshabalala.

Tshabalala, the WBF junior featherweight champion, called on Nonina recently, saying she had run out of local opponents. Nonina had just retained her belt on points over 10 rounds against Matshidiso Mokebisi.

Tshabalala and her trainer, Elias Mpembe, dismissed Nonina's claim of running out of local opponents as hot air.

"Gabisile can come at any time. In fact, I don't fear any South African boxer; I am the best and my track record speaks for itself," boasted Nonina, the only female boxer to own the SA championship belt after she registered the required five defences of her bantamweight title.

Nonina's trainer, Emmanuel Mutavhatsindi, said they struggled to get an opponent. "Why did Gabisile not raise her hand so that we give her a chance? Where were they the whole year, [or] are they broke looking for Christmas money since it's December?" he asked.

Mutavhatsindi said their focus was on Australian former multiple world champion Shannon O'Connell, who stopped Tshabalala in the seventh round for the WBF featherweight title in Mpumalanga in 2013.