Miller, Machimana headline acts at Macufe
Mouth-watering fights set for the Free State event
Pocket-sized Melissa “Honey Bee” Miller will oppose towering Malawian boxer Ellen Simwaka for the vacant WBF International bantamweight title at Dr Molemela Indoor Centre in Mangaung, Bloemfontein, tonight.
The fight is part of Dream Team’s international fivebout tournament at the annual Macufe Festival.
Initially, Miller was to oppose Smangele Radebe for the vacant SA bantamweight belt but the latter pulled out citing short notice.
Promoter Lebo Mahoko moved swiftly and found Simwaka, 20, who is fresh from a debatable points loss to Radebe in Kagiso, West Rand.
“She [Simwaka] is good. I am working hard to be one of SA’s best female boxers,” said Miller, who watched the Kagiso fight from the stands.
Miller – the 2016 BSA Female Prospect of the Year from Eldorado Park – is trained by Lehlohonolo Ramagole in Orlando, Soweto.
Topping the bill tonight will be Osborne “Big Daddy” Machimana and Justice “Venda Viper” Siliga on collision for the vacant SA heavyweight belt.
Machimana, 39, has won the belt twice already while 30-year-old Siliga will be challenging for the first time.
Johannesburg-based France “Fighting Time” Ramabolu from Virginia, Free State, will fight Mziwoloxolo Ndwayana from Uitenhage for the WBF International junior belt.
Ndwayana is fresh from a spirited performance against reigning SA welterweight champion Thulani Mbenge.
Khayeni Hlungwane will face Christian Okeke of Nigeria in the light heavyweight eight-rounder, while Sabelo Nokhele and Tello Dithebe will complete the bill in the featherweight class, also in eight rounds.
Action will begin at 7pm. middleweight
‘‘ I am working hard to become one of SA’s best female boxers .