South African junior featherweight champion Ntombokuqala Tolashe from Samora Machel is set to face Patience Matsara from Zimbabwe in an eight-round bout in Kimberley on Saturday 28 March.
Tolashe is confident she will emerge victorious and is determined to make a statement against her opponent.
“I’m ready for the fight. I’m super fit. I can fight anytime. I want to show Matsara that my supporters don’t call me ‘Desert Flower’ for nothing.”
Record and judging frustrations
The 30-year-old had fought 14 professional bouts in her career, losing only four. She believed she should have won some of those contests.
“Some of those four matches I still believe I won, but the judges decided otherwise. It’s not easy to win when you are fighting in another province. You need to know your story. I think in two of those fights I won them, but because I was the challenger and fighting in another province, the judges decided otherwise.”
Early start in boxing
Tolashe said she developed a passion for boxing at a young age while attending primary school.
“I grew up playing with boys. I started boxing at Weltevreden Primary School in Samora Machel. I was introduced to it by my younger brother. Since then I have never looked back. I turned professional in 2018.”
She added that sport has helped instil discipline in her life.
Coach backing her to win
Tolashe’s coach, Xolani Kemka, described her as an aggressive and tricky boxer in the ring.
“Tolashe is a southpaw. Fighting a southpaw is not easy. She has power. I believe we will win this coming match.”
