The country’s boxing golden girl Noni Tenge is winding down her career and as such she has made several changes as she transitions from an active boxer to 9-5 employee. However bouts have not stopped coming through thick and fast leaving her unsure if she should concentrate fully on the sport.
In this interview Tenge explains what has been happening in her career.
BOXING MECCA: Long time no speak Noni. Where are you hiding yourself these days because I hardly see you in tournaments.
NONI TENGE: Do not start bhuti please. I called you wanting to tell you that I was going to a graduation ceremony but you never answered my calls.
BM: No Noni I never received a call from you, honestly. But when was this graduation ceremony?
NT: It was on 11 May and I graduated with a diploma in sports management. And now I am working in Port Elizabeth.
BM: What? Since when? So that explains why I have not been seeing you.
NT: Yes I have a 9-5 job now after graduating. Apparently in my fight against Szilvia Szabados of Hungary in Durban someone saw me and recommended me to his company and then I was hired.
BM: Do you work in a field of what you studied for?
NT: No but there is a sport department at work and we have gymnasium that caters for mixed martial arts, wrestling and now boxing. So yes although I am winding down my career but I can still train as hard.
BM: Does that mean you have now left Sisonke and Luyanda Sovasi?
NT: After my graduation and when I was offered the job I went to the gym at Sisonke to explain to everyone that I would be leaving for PE. I sat down my with my handlers and explained the situation and they were very happy and wished me well. So I can safely say that I am here with their blessings. Sisonke will always hold a special place in my heart because that is where this Noni who is known by everybody was made.
BM: But Noni I saw somewhere that you will have a fight in Sweden against Swede Mikaela Lauren on September 30.
NT: Yes I am busy preparing for that bout although I have not seen the contract as yet. In fact you would be surprised bhuti that I have at least three bouts that I am preparing for but I have not signed a single contract for any of them.
BM: Who else is offering you a fight?
NT: Bra Chris Pondo promised me a bout on August 27 but later told me that it has been postponed. Mbali Zantsi was also looking to feature me in her tournament celebrating her 10-year anniversary but I understand she is still waiting for the date from Boxing SA and SABC because she wants the tournament to be televised. Remember she is the one who first promoted me together with Unathi Myekeni, Bomikazi Klass, Sendra Almeida way back. Now she wants to feature all those who were in her first tournament but sadly there is only me, Unathi and Almeida left. So you can see that tournament would be historic.
BM: Yes it would be special Noni but I suppose you cannot let the opportunity to fight Mikaela Lauren slip through your fingers because a winner has been promised a shot at Cecilia Braekhus whom you have been dying to fight for a while.
NT: Yes bhuti you are absolutely correct especially if the fight against this woman would lead to a challenge against Braekhus. That is the fight I want come rain come sunshine. But like I said I have not received the contract as yet although I am training very hard.
BM: How did this fight come about then?
NT: This fight came through Ghanaian promoter Mike Teteh who promotes Gifty Amanua Ankrah whom I beat twice. We never lost contact and then he came offering this fight against the Swede woman.
BM: I sense that you do not even know this boxer you will be fighting Noni.
NT: Actually I do not. I have not seen anything about her.
BM: Let me tell you about her. She is 41 years old having fought 33 times with four losses many which she suffered when she was still at the development stage. She lost to Braekhus early in her career and she is currently pursuing a rematch against her arguing that she beat her when was still inexperienced. She has knocked out 13 of her 29 victims so she is formidable and she should not be taken lightly. One more thing she also beat Szilvia Szabados who you also beat and also beat Esther Matshiya who you also beat so yes you guys have common opponents in Mashiya and Szabados.
NT: Sounds interesting.
BM: Noni who is training you there and do you have sparring partners?
NT: Like I said our gym also caters for MMA and as you know that MMA and boxing are almost similar I am able to train freely with other guys. My trainer is Rocky de Ridder and the name of my gym is The Pack.
You sound worried about my training bhuti.
BM: Yes I am worried because to me you do not sound like you have everything to help you prepare for this fight.
NT: Do not worry. I have already requested time off from work to concentrate fully on my preparations but I wish they could send me a contract as soon as possible.
BM: Thank you Noni.
NT: Thank you bhuti. Do not be too worried about me. You know me more than anyone else...
BM. (cutting in).... which is why I am worried.
Tenge has busy schedule on her radar
In this interview Tenge explains what has been happening in her career.
BOXING MECCA: Long time no speak Noni. Where are you hiding yourself these days because I hardly see you in tournaments.
NONI TENGE: Do not start bhuti please. I called you wanting to tell you that I was going to a graduation ceremony but you never answered my calls.
BM: No Noni I never received a call from you, honestly. But when was this graduation ceremony?
NT: It was on 11 May and I graduated with a diploma in sports management. And now I am working in Port Elizabeth.
BM: What? Since when? So that explains why I have not been seeing you.
NT: Yes I have a 9-5 job now after graduating. Apparently in my fight against Szilvia Szabados of Hungary in Durban someone saw me and recommended me to his company and then I was hired.
BM: Do you work in a field of what you studied for?
NT: No but there is a sport department at work and we have gymnasium that caters for mixed martial arts, wrestling and now boxing. So yes although I am winding down my career but I can still train as hard.
BM: Does that mean you have now left Sisonke and Luyanda Sovasi?
NT: After my graduation and when I was offered the job I went to the gym at Sisonke to explain to everyone that I would be leaving for PE. I sat down my with my handlers and explained the situation and they were very happy and wished me well. So I can safely say that I am here with their blessings. Sisonke will always hold a special place in my heart because that is where this Noni who is known by everybody was made.
BM: But Noni I saw somewhere that you will have a fight in Sweden against Swede Mikaela Lauren on September 30.
NT: Yes I am busy preparing for that bout although I have not seen the contract as yet. In fact you would be surprised bhuti that I have at least three bouts that I am preparing for but I have not signed a single contract for any of them.
BM: Who else is offering you a fight?
NT: Bra Chris Pondo promised me a bout on August 27 but later told me that it has been postponed. Mbali Zantsi was also looking to feature me in her tournament celebrating her 10-year anniversary but I understand she is still waiting for the date from Boxing SA and SABC because she wants the tournament to be televised. Remember she is the one who first promoted me together with Unathi Myekeni, Bomikazi Klass, Sendra Almeida way back. Now she wants to feature all those who were in her first tournament but sadly there is only me, Unathi and Almeida left. So you can see that tournament would be historic.
BM: Yes it would be special Noni but I suppose you cannot let the opportunity to fight Mikaela Lauren slip through your fingers because a winner has been promised a shot at Cecilia Braekhus whom you have been dying to fight for a while.
NT: Yes bhuti you are absolutely correct especially if the fight against this woman would lead to a challenge against Braekhus. That is the fight I want come rain come sunshine. But like I said I have not received the contract as yet although I am training very hard.
BM: How did this fight come about then?
NT: This fight came through Ghanaian promoter Mike Teteh who promotes Gifty Amanua Ankrah whom I beat twice. We never lost contact and then he came offering this fight against the Swede woman.
BM: I sense that you do not even know this boxer you will be fighting Noni.
NT: Actually I do not. I have not seen anything about her.
BM: Let me tell you about her. She is 41 years old having fought 33 times with four losses many which she suffered when she was still at the development stage. She lost to Braekhus early in her career and she is currently pursuing a rematch against her arguing that she beat her when was still inexperienced. She has knocked out 13 of her 29 victims so she is formidable and she should not be taken lightly. One more thing she also beat Szilvia Szabados who you also beat and also beat Esther Matshiya who you also beat so yes you guys have common opponents in Mashiya and Szabados.
NT: Sounds interesting.
BM: Noni who is training you there and do you have sparring partners?
NT: Like I said our gym also caters for MMA and as you know that MMA and boxing are almost similar I am able to train freely with other guys. My trainer is Rocky de Ridder and the name of my gym is The Pack.
You sound worried about my training bhuti.
BM: Yes I am worried because to me you do not sound like you have everything to help you prepare for this fight.
NT: Do not worry. I have already requested time off from work to concentrate fully on my preparations but I wish they could send me a contract as soon as possible.
BM: Thank you Noni.
NT: Thank you bhuti. Do not be too worried about me. You know me more than anyone else...
BM. (cutting in).... which is why I am worried.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos