Victory in Joburg could boost her profile in KZN, says Mthalane

Money wasn’t the only reason Asanda Mkhwanazi signed on the dotted line to face WBO Africa flyweight champion Sibulele “Lova” Soboois over six rounds on Friday night.

This was trainer Sanele Mthalane’s response when pressed for a comment on allegations that they accepted the fight purely because Brad Norman of Warriors Ascent made them a purse offer they could not refuse.

”First and foremost, Asanda and Soboois are evenly matched ... both have five fights, and I still maintain that Asanda’s loss was political, which means, in my eyes, she has one loss, three wins and a draw,” he said.

“Sobooi has five fights with only one knockout. How is that about a mismatch?

“Secondly, yes, the purse money is good, but that was not the motivating factor for us.

“We have no promoter dedicated to us, so such an opportunity outside of KwaZulu-Natal is big for Asanda, and imagine her winning the fight.”

Mthalane from Lindelani in Durban described Mkhwazani as a complete boxer.

“She can make her own changes and adjustments during a fight,” he said.

Soboois raised eyebrows in February when she outboxed Smangele “Smash” Hadebe over eight rounds to win the WBO Africa belt.

Despite an immense gap in professional experience — Hadebe entered the ring with 21 fights under her belt compared to Soboois’s four — the 24-year-old southpaw from Khayelitsha dominated the pace with sharp timing and precise counter-punching.

In the main event, Wasim “Kleurling” Chellan from Cape Town and Martin “Tiger” Achebi from Kenya will fight for the vacant ABU welterweight belt.

Hot prospect Ardy “The Eagle” Katompa, born in the DRC and based in Cape Town, will face Lopez “The Pressure Cooker” Maluleke of Limpopo in an eight-round international featherweight bout.

Katompa will look to chalk up his ninth win, with three losses and two draws.

Maluleke blows hot and cold, as his record shows: three wins and four losses.

All fights on the cards at Warrior Ascent Promotions’ “Fright Night” at Fourways Farmers Market will be televised live by SuperSport from 7pm.