Smangele ‘Smash’ Hadebe will be fighting for more than the vacant African Boxing Union [ABU] female flyweight title on Feb. 24, with the South African fighter hoping to show survivors of child abuse that ‘they are not alone’.
Hadebe will take on Tanzania’s Halima Vunjabei as the co-main bout on the Africa Boxing card on Thursday night in Johannesburg, and told ESPN that the profile of the bout will allow her to continue her advocacy work.
“I dedicate my fights to women and children who were abused and could not speak for themselves,” Hadebe said ahead of her 10-rounder, and her 17th professional fight.
“My fights are about telling them that they can fight what they went through, and also know that they are not alone. We need to be the change we wish to see in others.”
Violence against women and children is an epidemic in South Africa, with recent studies estimating that nearly half of all children in the country have either been abused or been exposed to domestic violence.
The 28-year-old expanded upon her motivations to BoxingAfrica.com: “For me it was a secret l kept for too long. Being sexually molested for two years, and unable to reveal that to anyone is the most painful experience I’ve gone through in my life.
“That’s why l will use the day I’m fighting for the African title to let the world know about this shameful, inhuman, brutal and degrading vice in South Africa.
“I’m the voice of the voiceless. A lot of children in South Africa are going through child abuse but have nobody to assist them, they’re suffering in silence.
“I want children to know they can get help when abused and should not remain silent. That’s why I’ll have a hotline number on my boxing clothes in my fight so that people know where they can report child abuse.”
Hadebe also told ESPN that boxing helped with her mental health in the aftermath of her trauma: “My childhood trauma was the main reason I started boxing. Boxing was like an anti-depressant for me.”
The SA flyweight title holder comes into this bout on a five-fight winning streak, with her last victory an unanimous decision win over Thema Zuma in September last year, and she is confident of the run continuing.
“You can’t teach heart and I am full of heart,” continued Hadebe. “I won’t be pushed around by the fears in my mind. I am ready for a big battle against Halima.
“If you are going through hell you have to keep going, and I’m prepared for anything.”
Vunjabei, meanwhile, is a rising force in women’s boxing and comes into this clash fresh from a second-round TKO win over Nozwelethu Mathontsi in September last year.
She is a powerful striker and is keen to establish a strong legacy in the sport, and the Tanzanian has predicted a KO win on Thursday.
“I am well prepared for the fight against Hadebe. I have no fears and I am not scared of my opponent, I can beat her no problem,” Vunjabei told ESPN.
“I am much stronger than her and I am going to knock her down.”
Aside from the Hadebe v Vanjabei fight, the card also features a main event in which South African Junior Lightweight champion Phila Mpontshane (15-2) will put his title on the line against Sibusiso Zingange (10-5-1).
ESPN Africa Boxing 14 Fight Card
Main card:
– Main event: SA Junior Lightweight title (12 rounds): Phila Mpontshane (Champion, 15-2) vs. Sibusiso Zingange (10-5-1)
– Co-main event: ABU Female Flyweight title (10 rounds): Simangele Hadebe (10-3-2) vs. Halima Vanjabei (10-7-1)
– Junior Middleweight (6 rounds): Darrin Rossouw (3-0) vs. Thembani Mhlanga (3-6)
– Featherweight (6 rounds): Abdul-aziz Kunert (10-1) vs. Sithembiso Maduna (9-1)
– Junior Welterweight (8 rounds): Gift Bholo (8-11) vs. Denis Mwale (8-2)
Undercard:
– Middleweight (4 rounds): Nelson Mbhele (2-1) vs. Sydney Ntsemi (0-3)
– Flyweight (4 rounds): Thambi Luthuli (2-0-1) vs. Rofhiwa Maphupha (1-3)
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