Spotlight on beacon of hope in Bell’s title push
PORT Elizabeth’s golden girl and South African junior-lightweight champion Nozipho Bell will be defending her title a second time against top contender Ryder Muleba in Limpopo next month.
Having retained the title against Nomampondomise Xhotyeni at the Lillian Ngoyi Arena, Bell will have a mountain to climb when she goes up against Limpopo’s Muleba, who is rated number one in the country in the junior-lightweight division.
Muleba has had a clean record in her last three fights and will be looking to give the champion a tough time inside the ropes.
Bell weighs in at 63kg and has a record of five wins, one loss and one draw while her opponent tips the scale at 64kg and has a record of four fights with one loss.
“I am very grateful for yet another opportunity to defend my title,” Bells said yesterday.
“I want a clean fight and I feel ready to conquer my opponent by knockout so that I do not have to worry about miscalculations in the points system,” she said.
“I may be the only national champion from the Eastern Cape but my coach has told me to keep a cool head and not underestimate her,” she said.
Bell easily retained her belt with a seventh-round stoppage of Simthandile Ngcobo at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in May to join a few elite class of female boxing champions who have been able to defend their titles.
Bell is the only national champion from Port Elizabeth – in either male or female categories.
Boxing promoter Sibongile Gebe says his only concern is that Bell will be fighting away from home.
“It is always tough for the fighter who fights away from home.
“The treatment from officials may be different and could hinder our preparations when we get there.
“Her opponent may not be better than her on paper but we will not underestimate her abilities in the ring,” said Gebe.
Bell still fights for Caiph’s Camp stable headed by coach and manager Caphuis Ntante.
The stable has produced several successful boxers in the country including WBF champion Gift Ncisane.
“Going to defend a title is a difficult task on its own, let alone having to defend it away from your home crowd,” said Ntante.
“This title is not only for us in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro but it is for all the young people in the Eastern Cape who aspire to be where Bell is today.
“She is a beacon of hope for the township children of the Eastern Cape and we hope she brings the title back home.
Bell is hoping to follow in the footsteps of Bukiwe Nonina who holds the female record for the most national title defences after she retained her SA bantamweight belt five times.