Story audio is generated using AI
Gqeberha’s Razell Mohamed is raring to go in the second defence of her SA female junior heavyweight crown when she squares off against Gauteng challenger Rita Mrwebi this weekend.
This electrifying title bout headlines the triple-header Zibondiwe Ziyabila eGqeberha boxing event, brought to life by Zantsi’s Showtime Productions, the MBDA, and the NMBM, lighting up the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.
Other fight headliners will see Walmer’s professional female boxer Nozipho Bell face Zimbabwean Chiedza Homakoma for the vacant WBF intercontinental junior welterweight championship.
After successfully defending her Boxing SA cruiserweight title, Gqeberha's Razell Mohamed has now set her sights on the IBF heavyweight title against Lani Daniels in New Zealand on August 26.
This will be the 34-year-old Daniels' first defence after winning the IBF belt in May against her Kiwi compatriot Alrie Meleisa, 30.
Mohamed's last fight at home saw her successfully defend her SA cruiserweight title when she beat Limpopo’s Rolen Mulebo by a unanimous points decision in August 2022.
The boxer, who is a schoolteacher at Ankervas Primary in Rocklands, first claimed the vacant title when she beat Lillian Molala of Mpumalanga in a 10-round matchup at the Fairview Sports Centre in Gqeberha.
This will be Mohamed's first international fight as a professional boxer.
“This is a really big opportunity for me, the IBF is one of the recognised titles, so it's huge for me,” Mohamed said.
“My coach does most of the analysing for the fights and that. I am trying to focus on my own thing right now — he will come up with the game plan, and then I follow up on that.
“I try not to look at her fights too much, I just try to focus on my own thing — the coach analyses that sort of thing and we adapt to his game plan.”
Mohamed said winning the title would take her boxing career to another level.
“For myself personally though it will be something huge, I mean I haven't been doing boxing for really long. I have been doing MMA fighting for most of my life.
“So, for boxing, that will be the highest I can reach now.
“We are looking towards the other titles as well, so winning the IBF title will open more doors for me and get exposure, because at the moment I think I will come in as the biggest underdog because they don't know me and what I am capable of.”
Mohamed said she wasn't pleased with her previous performance against Mulebo during her SA cruiserweight defence fight and plans to correct that when she takes on Daniels in August.
“I have been working a lot on my fitness and my movements because with heavyweights you tend to be sluggish on your feet, so I am working on cutting the ring and moving a lot better.
“Though preparations are going well for the fight, my biggest struggle at the moment is eating correctly.
“We have to buy a lot of supplements and it has to be the correct supplements.
“It's very costly. I would appreciate any kind of support when it comes to that,” the boxer said.
HeraldLIVE
Meanwhile, Knysna’s Mbuyiseli Ndukwaka will challenge KuGompo City’s Hlumelo Gingana for the vacant IBO Africa Lightweight title.
Mohamed’s last fight at home saw her successfully defend her SA cruiserweight title, beating Limpopo’s Rolen Mulebo by a unanimous points decision in August 2022.
The boxer, who is a schoolteacher at Ankervas Primary in Rocklands, first claimed the vacant title when she beat Lillian Molala of Mpumalanga in a 10-round matchup at the Fairview Sports Centre in Gqeberha.
She last stepped into the ring in August 2023 against IBF champion New Zealander Lani Daniels at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand.
Story audio is generated using AI
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.
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.
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
“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.
“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.
The Herald
That was an experience she enjoyed as it was against a quality opponent.
“Since then, I’ve continued to learn, grow and develop as a fighter,” Mohamed said.
“I’m looking forward to putting that growth on display on Saturday.
“Rita Mrwebi is a tough and experienced fighter who has earned her place in this fight.
“I respect what she brings to the ring, but my focus has been on making sure I’m the best version of myself on fight night.
“We’ve studied her, we’ve prepared properly, and I’m ready for whatever she brings.”
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
She said her main focus points at training had been conditioning, sharpness and ring discipline.
Mohamed said that after being out of the ring for some time, it was important to make sure she was in peak condition and able to maintain a high work rate from the first round to the last.
“We’ve also worked hard on fine-tuning the technical aspects of my boxing.
“I’m feeling very prepared. We’ve had a solid camp, and I’ve put in the work physically, mentally and technically.
“Everything has gone according to plan, and I’m excited to get back into the ring and showcase the improvements I’ve made. I’ve had to dig deep for this one.
“Defending my title is extremely important to me.
All eyes are on Nelson Mandela Bay woman boxer Razell Mohamed, who is on a quest to make history this weekend.
Mohamed is fighting IBF heavyweight champion Lani Daniels at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday.
When she steps into the ring, she will become the first SA woman boxer to fight for a world heavyweight title.
This will be the 34-year-old New Zealander Daniels’s first defence after winning the IBF belt in May against her Kiwi compatriot Alrie Meleisa, 30.
The battle lines between the boxers were drawn after SA cruiserweight champion Mohamed took to social media to call out the No 1-ranked heavyweight boxer in November 2022.
In her last fight at home, Mohamed successfully defended her SA cruiserweight title against Limpopo’s Rolen Mulebo in a unanimous points decision in August 2022.
The boxer, who is a schoolteacher at Ankervas Primary in Rocklands, claimed the vacant title when she beat Lillian Molala of Mpumalanga in a 10-round matchup at the Fairview Sports Centre in Gqeberha.
This will be Mohamed’s first international fight as a professional boxer.
“I am very privileged. This is my first world title fight — I think we are just going to have fun in there,” Mohamed said.
“Of course, it’s definitely not going to be an easy fight.
“She obviously wants to retain her title and I want to take it, so we are going to give each other hell, I am sure.”
The 34-year-old, who fights under the Caiph Camp banner, joined boxing in 2018 from martial arts.
She is ranked third on BoxRec and is undefeated with three wins and two draws.
“I take a lot from my martial arts background. There are other things I use that I incorporate into my boxing as well.
“So, some variations to my boxing are a lot bit different from what you would normally see.”
Daniels is confident she will successfully defend her title.
“I am in the best shape that I have ever been,” she said. “I can’t remember the last time I was in such good shape.
“We have just stepped it up a little in terms of the work we are putting in.
“My running times are faster and I am punching harder. I am literally living and breathing boxing and it’s so cool,” she said.
New Zealand’s IBO super-bantamweight world title champion, Mea Motu, will also be in the ring on the night of the main event.
Unbeaten Motu will face heavy-handed Malawian challenger Ellen “Tigress” Simwaka of Malawi in her first defence of the IBO crown she won in April by outpointing Tania Walters at the same North Shore venue.
Simwaka is based in SA and trained by Vusi Mtolo.
“Winning the South African Junior Heavyweight title was a proud moment in my career, but being a champion is about more than winning the belt—it’s about defending it and proving that you belong at the top.
“This title represents all the hard work, sacrifices and support I’ve received along the way, and I’m determined to do everything I can to keep it.
“I have more to prove this time.”
Other bouts include Siyamnekela Gqubule vs Lelethu Bolo (both from Gqeberha) in the 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.
Razell Mohamed's coach Caiphus Ntante says they are confident of dethroning IBF heavyweight champion Lani Daniels when the boxers meet at the Eventfinda Stadium in Auckland, New Zealand, on Saturday.
This will be 34-year-old Daniels’s first defence after winning the IBF belt against her Kiwi compatriot Alrie Meleisa, 30, at the same venue in May.
The battle lines between the boxers were drawn after SA cruiserweight champion Mohammed took to social media to call out the No 1-ranked heavyweight boxer in November 2022.
Mohamed, who is ranked fourth on BoxRec, won her SA national title in March and is undefeated with three wins and two draws.
The team arrived in Auckland on Monday.
“We have prepared well for the fight,” Ntante said.
“We have been in the gym for two-and-a-half months and there has been a lot of improvement in Razell. In terms of sparring, she had many partners, which was much needed.
“What I am much appreciative of is that her school where she teaches, Ankervas Primary in Rocklands, allowed her to come to the gym even at odd times.
“She is ready and we are ready to take the fight by stoppage because we are fighting away from home. She is in the right frame of mind.”
When asked what they would have to do to win, Ntante said: “What I have noticed after watching four of our opponents’ fights, is Daniels is very quick with her punches and moves around a lot in the ring.
“However, we plan to cut the ring and land big blows so that we know we will finish her.”
Another boxer from Caiph Camp will also feature in a title fight this weekend.
Owethu Rula will fight long-standing SA junior-flyweight champion Nozwelethu Mathotsi at the Orient Theatre in East London on Saturday.
Veteran Mdantsane boxer Mathotsi was first crowned SA champion in 2013 after she defeated Noxolo Makhanavu.
Due to the lack of female boxers in her weight division, her last title defence was in 2017 against Nthabiseng Didi, whom she beat with a technical knockout in the fourth round.
The last time she was in the ring was in 2021 in a non-title fight against Halima Vunjabei, which she lost to a technical knockout.
“Rula is fighting for a SA title against someone who is very experienced,” Ntante said.
“I won’t be by her side at the ring, but I trust those I have appointed to be with her will get the job done and we will come back to Gqeberha with the title.
“Rula is hungry. She has just won an Eastern Cape title and she wants to take her boxing to the next level.
“She is young and I think our advantage will be that she is very active.”
HeraldLIVE
Tickets are available at Webtickets outlets, including Boxer, BP and Pick n Pay, as well as at the stadium ticket office, at R100 for adults and R50 for children under 12.
Entrance is from 5pm.
Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald
