Hlumelo Gingxana sets sights on IBO All-Africa Championship

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Hlumelo Gingxana of KuGompo City is brimming with belief that Saturday will see him crowned as the new IBO All-Africa lightweight champion.

Gingxana will be up against Knysna’s Mbuyiseli Ndukwana for the vacant title, with the clash forming part of the Zibondiwe Ziyabila eGqeberha triple-header, brought to life by Zantsi’s Showtime Productions, the MBDA and NMBM at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

Other fight headliners will see:

• Razell Mohamed of Gqeberha defend her South African female junior heavyweight title against Rita Mrwebi of Gauteng; and
• Walmer-born professional female boxer Nozipho Bell facing Zimbabwean Chiedza Homakoma for the vacant WBF intercontinental junior welterweight championship.

Story audio is generated using AI Walmer’s Nozipho Bell will be on a quest for redemption when she takes on Zimbabwean contender Chiedza Homakoma for the vacant WBF intercontinental junior-welterweight crown this weekend. The much-anticipated title bout headlines the triple-header Zibondiwe Ziyabila eGqeberha Boxing Spectacle, hosted by Zantsi’s Showtime Productions, the MBDA and the NMBM at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. Other headliners will see Razell Mohamed of Gqeberha defend her SA female junior-heavyweight title against Rita Mrwebi of Gauteng, and Knysna’s Mbuyiseli Ndukwaka challenge KuGompo City’s Hlumelo Gingana for the vacant IBO Africa lightweight title. Bell is chasing success after losing her SA junior-lightweight belt to Bernice Ferreira in a 10-round defence at Silver Lakes Farm in Pretoria in November 2025. In 2021 she was stripped of her WBF title for failing to stage a mandatory title defence within the time frame set by the federation. She was later also stripped of her IBF Intercontinental title. To boost her ranking, the 37-year-old hopes to win the WBF intercontinental junior-welterweight title. She is currently ranked 17th on SA on BoxRec. Winning this title will provide me with numerous opportunities to move up the ranks from where I was before. So I am prepared for this fight, and I intend to win it “My preparations for the fight are going very well,” Bell said. “I have been working with my former coach, Caiphus Ntante. I am still under my manager, Lonki, in KuQompo City. “However, I felt I should prepare for this fight here at home in Gqeberha because I will be fighting here. It’s also been a long time since I fought at home in front of my supporters. “Coach Caiphus knows me well. He knows how to push me to do my best. We’re working to win the fight in the early rounds, but even if we make it through 10 rounds, I’ll have the stamina and power to finish strong. “After losing my SA title, I had a lot of questions about my career, but because I am a very positive person, and boxing teaches us that there will be difficult times in life, we must be able to pick ourselves up and stay positive. “So for this fight I am mentally and physically prepared. God has given me the opportunity to pick myself back up. “Winning this title will provide me with numerous opportunities to move up the ranks from where I was before. So I am prepared for this fight, and I intend to win it. “Even the outpouring of support has been overwhelming. People are very excited to see my fight on Saturday, and I don’t want to disappoint them.” Bell says she has seen some of Homakoma’s fights and knows what to expect from her. She is aware that female boxers are well-prepared and motivated when competing against her. “They understand they are not just fighting any other boxer. They know that if they win against me, they will gain significant points, which will boost their rankings. So I, too, must prepare well. I respect my opponents, which is why I train hard for every fight.” Bell urged the Bay boxing community to turn out in large numbers. Doors open at 5pm. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

Earlier this year Gingxana, 25, made local sports history by becoming the first-ever provincial boxing champion from Braelyn in KuGompo City. He captured the vacant Eastern Cape Lightweight title on February 7 at the Thobi Kula Indoor Centre in Komani, stopping opponent Aphiwe Magobiyane via a second-round TKO.

With this win behind him, he now has set his sights on the IBO All-Africa lightweight championship.

“People can look forward to fireworks on Saturday,” Gingxana said. “I am confident that I will be returning to KuGompo City with the title.

“I’d like to thank NMB Stadium, MBDA, NMBM and Showtime Production’s Mbali Zantsi for the opportunity. This is a big fight and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity. I’m also grateful to everyone who helped make this event possible.

“I must make it a point that I deliver on Saturday so that they can see what they have done for us boxers is not in vain.”

Gingxana, who is coached and managed by Lonki Witbooi, said they have worked hard in training.

“I am fully prepared for this fight. We are prepared to take over the title and become the new IBO All-African lightweight champion.

“Mbuyiseli Ndukwana is a Western Cape champion and the top-ranked player in South Africa, while I am currently ranked third. In 2022 I defeated him by unanimous point decision in a four-round fight.

Gqeberha boxing fans are in for a night to remember at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday, where a thrilling triple-header promises edge-of-the-seat action. Razell Mohamed of Gqeberha will defend her South African junior heavyweight title against Rita Mrwebi of Gauteng in the highly anticipated event hosted by Zantsi’s Showtime Productions together with the MBDA and NMBM. Nozipho Bell of Gqeberha will face Zimbabwe’s Chiedza Homakoma for the vacant female WBFI intercontinental junior welterweight championship. Meanwhile, Knysna’s Mbuyiseli Ndukwaka will challenge KuGompo City’s Hlumelo Gingana for the vacant IBO Africa lightweight title. Event organiser Mbali Zantsi from Showtime Productions said most of the fighters are from Nelson Mandela Bay. She said the event gives local supporters the opportunity to witness hometown talent go toe-to-toe with some of the best fighters from other provinces. “The event will be headlined by two major female title fights — one of our NMB fighters will be challenging for an international title, while another will be defending her South African title," Zantsi said. “The undercard is also stacked with exciting local prospects, all eager to prove themselves on a big stage. “Every fight has been carefully matched to ensure competitive, entertaining boxing from start to finish. Fans can expect an electric atmosphere and explosive action throughout the night. Also in action will be Siyamnekela Gqubule vs Lelethu Bolo (both from Gqeberha) in the mini-flyweight contest, and Lubabalo Soga (Kareiga) vs Siphosethu Madasi (Makhanda) junior bantamweight. Other bouts include: Sibusiso Moyakhe (Gqeberha) vs Siphesihle Mpolweni (Makhanda) bantamweight; Libona Rali (Gqeberha) vs Ziviwe Ntobongwana (KuGompo City); and Yibanathi Magwa vs Milani George (both from Gqeberha) mini flyweight. “Our fighters and our city deserve a world-class stage, and Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is exactly that. As a Fifa World Cup venue, it is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and a symbol of excellence. “This is the first boxing tournament of this magnitude to be hosted at the stadium and promoted by a female promoter from Nelson Mandela Bay. “It is a proud moment not only for boxing but also for the city as a whole. We are showing that Gqeberha has the capacity to host major sporting events while giving our local fighters the opportunity to compete for titles in front of a home crowd and a national television audience on SABC. “Gqeberha has exceptional boxing talent, which has been overlooked for far too long. That is one of the reasons why Nelson Mandela Bay fighters are heavily represented in this tournament. “For rising prospects, this is an important stepping stone to greater opportunities. For established champions, it is an opportunity to solidify their legacy and make history. “In the long run, events like this help open doors for sponsorships, higher rankings and future opportunities, while also demonstrating that Gqeberha is a city where boxing talent can grow and thrive.” Tickets are available at Webtickets outlets, including Boxer, BP, and Pick n Pay, as well as at the stadium ticket office, priced at R100 for adults and R50 for children under 12. • Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“This fight means so much to me; we’re not just looking at the title here. After winning the fight, I’ll be able to enter the international space. We are taking this fight very seriously because it will open up many opportunities for me.”

Other bouts include:

• Siyamnekela Gqubule vs Lelethu Bolo (both from Gqeberha) in a mini-flyweight contest;
• Lubabalo Soga (Kareiga) vs Siphosethu Madasi (Makhanda) — junior bantamweight;
• Sibusiso Moyakhe (Gqeberha) vs Siphesihle Mpohlweni (Makhanda) — bantamweight;
• Libona Rali (Gqeberha) vs Ziviwe Ntobongwana (KuGompo City); and
• Yibanathi Magwa vs Milani George (both from Gqeberha) — mini-flyweight.

Tickets are available at Webtickets outlets, including Boxer, BP and Pick n Pay, as well as at the NMB Stadium ticket office, at R100 for adults and R50 for children under 12.

• Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world.

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