A local female amateur boxer, Zwidofhelangani Nemutandani, says she cannot wait to follow in the footsteps of her childhood boxing idols, Phillip "Time Bomb" Ndou and Floyd "Pretty Boy" Mayweather, and become a world champion.
Nemutandani, from Lwamondo village, joined the Thohoyandou A-Z Boxing Club last year under the guidance of experienced local trainer John "Smoking Joe" Nemakonde. Now, she feels ready to step into the professional ranks.
Speaking to Limpopo Mirror after a training session at the Thohoyandou Indoor Sports Centre, she said she would be undergoing a test for her professional boxing license at Magoebaskloof in Tzaneen on 1 March.
"I cannot wait to get into the ring and prove to the boxing fraternity that I am ready to turn professional. Believe me, I am willing to do whatever it takes to become a South African national boxing champion before setting my sights on bigger things," she said.
Nemutandani's love for boxing began at a young age, influenced by her parents, who were avid boxing fans. "I was about seven years old when I started begging my parents to buy me boxing gloves. I grew up around boys and would regularly beat them in street fights. That's why even today, no man can tell me what to do—if he crosses the line, he'll pay for it," she said.
Her favourite boxer at the moment is Benjamin Whittaker, who remains undefeated with eight wins, no losses, and one draw in his nine professional bouts.
She also praised the Thohoyandou A-Z Boxing Club for providing equal training opportunities for male and female boxers.
"What I love most about this club is that female and male boxers train together and even spar with one another," she said.
Nemutandani assured boxing fans in the Vhembe District that her professional debut is just around the corner.
"Next month, I will officially be fighting in the professional ranks," she promised.