Sowetan

Patience wins Miller the title

Multiple failures ends with glory for ‘Honey Bee’

- By Bongani Magasela

Melissa “Honey Bee” Miller is living proof that patience is a virtue.

She failed five times to win a boxing title but never gave up because of her dedication and determinat­ion to succeed.

The pocket-sized 32-yearold boxer from Eldorado Park, in Joburg’s south, gave her all against Thema Zuma, from KZN, and her experience told.

After 10 rounds of nonstop action, Miller emerged victorious to win the SA bantamweig­ht title on a unanimous decision, shedding tears of joy after the belt was wrapped around her waist.

Their bout formed part of the six-bout card of the Arnold Schwarzene­gger Games at Sandton City in Joburg at the weekend.

Said her trainer Lucky Ramagole: “Her victory means a lot to me. I am excited.

“Finally we have a champion in Soweto.”

Prince Dlomo’s failure to make the weight – the second time in succession – robbed him of the opportunit­y to win the WBF Interconti­nental junior lightweigh­t title after stopping Namibian Gabriel Imalwa in the sixth round.

ABU Sadec junior lightweigh­t (12 rounds): Sibusiso Zingange beat Prince Dlomo on points; Junior welterweig­ht (6 rounds): Sam Sethole beat Stebe Dewu on points; Junior welterweig­ht (6 rounds): Bheki Mahlangu beat Tumi Nakedi on points; Welterweig­ht (8 rounds): Humbulani Netshamuts­hedzi beat Luvo Ntlebi on points.

 ?? / MEDIMELI MULUGANA ?? New SA bantamweig­ht champion Melissa Miller beat Thema Zuma at the weekend.
/ MEDIMELI MULUGANA New SA bantamweig­ht champion Melissa Miller beat Thema Zuma at the weekend.

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