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After a rough period with plenty
of adversity in the ring, World
Boxing Federation (WBF) Womens
World Light Flyweight Champion
Anne Sophie Da Costa, 24-3 (11),
from France is hoping to
resurrect her career on May 12
in her home-town Reims.
The 35-year-old has had a
splendid career, winning WBF
world titles at both Strawweight
and Light Flyweight, but
back-to-back losses last year
appeared as a sign that, while
still world class, her best days
were probably behind her.
In October she was outpointed by
compatriot Justine Lallemand,
losing the WBF title, and two
months later she came up short,
also on points, when she moved
down in weight to challenge for
the WBC World Strawweight title
against Tina Rupprecht in
Germany.
But then news broke that
Lallemand had failed a
doping-test, the result of their
fight was changed to a
No-Contest, and Da Costa was
rightfully reinstated as WBF
World Light Flyweight Champion.
Now she gets a chance to prove
that she has plenty left to
offer when she defends the title
on home soil.
The challenger will be streaking
Tanzanian Halima Vunjabei (25),
who despite a modest 6-3-1 (3)
record has showed that she is a
very capable fighter. Her last
defeat came in November of 2016
when she lost a decision to
undefeated Fabiana Bytyqi in the
Czech Republic.
Since then she has won three
straight, including a fight for
the UBO International Light
Flyweight title this past March
in Dar Es Salaam. With over two
months to prepare for the big
opportunity in France, Vunjabei
is reportedly full of confidence
and expected to make a good
account of herself.
For Da Costa it is more or less
a must win fight, and for
Vunjabei it is an opportunity of
a life-time to become the first
female world champion from
Tanzania. With a lot at stake
for both, it is an intriguing
match-up almost guaranteed to
entertain.
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