Wolmarans dashes Chisale’s hopes of IBF Africa belt

It was clear that Ruth Chisale from Malawi came to SA with the intention to cut Hedda “The Shredder” Wolmarans to shreds, ignoring every vicious punch to her body during their fiercely contested 10-rounder for the IBF Africa junior-middleweight belt on Thursday. 

Chisale was almost 3kg over the weight limit. Any other fighter who failed to make the required weight would have just waited for that one punch and gone down because her victory would have been meaningless, but Chisale was dogged.

The IBF makes it clear that if a contestant fails to make the weight in a fight for a vacant title or elimination bout and proceeds to win, they will not be declared the winner and the title will remain vacant.

Chisale looked ready to quit more than once after being hit hard to the body but Wolmarans let her off the hook by focusing on hunting down her head like someone killing a snake. Chisale then began bulldozing her lighter opponent, pushing her backwards with her relentless combos.

Wolmarans, the SA champion, responded by using lateral movement and boxing beautifully behind her jab. Whatever trainer Colin Nathan told her in the corner worked magic because fans saw boxing artistry, patience and stability as she ground out the win.

Credit must go to local judges for choosing the deserving winner. The scores were 97-93 (twice) and 96-94.

IBF president Darly Peoples sat tight at ringside. The African-American – a gentleman in the true sense of the word who has steered the New Jersey, US-based sanctioning body to greater heights since he took over the office in 2018 – only got up to do the honours. 

Meanwhile, Akani Phuzi gave Lebohang Moshitoa no time to get into gear and dropped him four times – once in the second round and three times in the third round – before the fight was stopped. Their cruiserweight bout was Phuzi’s first fight under new trainer Damien Durandt since parting ways with Alan Toweel Junior early this year.