After losing a decision to South African rival Simangele “Smash” Hadebe last September, and drawing in the rematch only five weeks ago, Ellen Simwaka from Malawi finally came out on top in their third encounter on Saturday night, June 30.
At the Turfontein Race Cource in Johannesburg, with the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) Women’s International Bantamweight title on the line, it was obvious that these boxers know each other well, making it a nip-and-tuck battle in the first six rounds.
But, fighting on her opponents home-turf, Simwaka impressively took matters out of the judges hands in round seven, scoring a technical knockout to win her first professional championship less than two years after making her debut.
With the victory, 21-year-old Ellen Simwaka improved her record to 7-3-2 (5), and makes a strong case for herself as a challenger for another South African, WBF World Champion Bukiwe Nonina. Simangele Hadebe drops to 4-2-2 (1).
The fight was the main event of a show promoted by Boxing 5 Promotions.
