Young boxer Anao "Mroja" Netshidzati from Mpheni village in Elim made an impressive professional debut on Saturday, 7 June, during the Rise Boxing Promotion event held at Event City in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.
The young boxer from Elim Boxing Club faced Jimmy Tshehla in a four-round welterweight bout and secured a knockout victory, marking a significant milestone early in his boxing career.
Both fighters came out strongly from the first bell, exchanging punches and testing each other's resilience. Tshehla landed a few solid shots early in the fight, forcing Netshidzati onto the back foot. But the 18-year-old soon settled into the match, adjusted his tactics and began to dominate.
The moment came when Netshidzati landed a powerful hook that sent Tshehla to the canvas. Although Tshehla attempted to stand up, the referee checked if he could continue. Tshehla shook his head, indicating he could not go on, and the fight was awarded to Netshidzati.
Speaking after the bout, Netshidzati said, "I never underestimated my opponent, not even once. I knew it was going to be a tough challenge. But I believed it was my time. When I stepped into the ring, I told myself, 'He won't beat me.' That mindset helped me stay calm and deliver the knockout."
Netshidzati said the win had encouraged him to keep working hard. "I'm proud of this victory. It's pushed me to train even harder and prove that hard work beats talent. This is just the beginning."
He also thanked his sponsor, Ndivhuwo Funerals, for making it possible for his supporters to attend and for providing him with a gown for the fight. His coach, Ridgeway Mabasa, said they were happy with the win.
"This victory shows that our preparation paid off. However, we still face challenges. We currently train outside at his home and urgently need sponsors to help with equipment such as boxing gloves and access to a proper gym while we await the completion of Waterval Stadium," he said.