Uncertainty still surrounds the status of world female boxing champion Sharoddene Fortuin after she revealed that she will vie for the WBA International junior-bantamweight crown in her next bout.
This despite the fact that Fortuin is the reigning IBO world champion, a title she won when she beat Argentinean lass Maria Magdalena Rivera in August last year.
Since her victory the Seymour-born boxer has not stepped between the ropes fuelling fears that the lengthy inactivity might lead to her being stripped of her crown.
And now instead of defending the title, she will contest for the WBA B-grade belt against Matsediso Mokebetsi at Mdantsane Indoor Centre next Friday.
The fight to be bankrolled by the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture will be promoted by Fortuin’s new promoter TZ Promotions.
Despite previously fighting under the banner of Sijuta Promotions, Fortuin says she has now signed with TZ and she will take a different route for her career.
“TZ Promotions is now my promoter,” she said emphatically.
However, she could not say if she had decided to leave Sijuta because of the uncertainty engulfing the Andile Sidinile-owned promotional outfit.
Sidinile also doubles as the IBO African commissioner and it is yet to be seen if Fortuin will remain the IBO champion after next Friday’s fight.
The clash against Mokebetsi will top a six-bout show set to celebrate Women’s Month.
Ironically, TZ also featured Fortuin in her world title winning fight in Women’s Month last year.
Other bouts include two more fights involving women featuring Nosipho Bell against Rushda Mallick from Cape Town in a female SA junior-lightweight title clash.
Babalwa Nonqonqotha will come up against Natalia Banner in a six rounds bantamweight encounter.
But the spotlight will be on the 22-year-old Fortuin whose world title winning feat was hugely celebrated as she became the first boxer from Seymour to achieve it.
Having moved to Cape Town, Fortuin says she has since made East London her home where she has joined the camp of former world champion Welcome Ncita.
Fortuin, who still bemoans her loss to Bukiwe Nonina, the only blemish to her perfect eight fights record, says training with Ncita has been an eye-opener.
“He is teaching me things I did not know before. It is such an honour to work with bro Welcome.”
Fortuin says Molebetsi will not last the distance.
“She is definitely falling on her face, mark my words.”
Fortuin skates on thin ice ahead of WBA showdown
This despite the fact that Fortuin is the reigning IBO world champion, a title she won when she beat Argentinean lass Maria Magdalena Rivera in August last year.
Since her victory the Seymour-born boxer has not stepped between the ropes fuelling fears that the lengthy inactivity might lead to her being stripped of her crown.
And now instead of defending the title, she will contest for the WBA B-grade belt against Matsediso Mokebetsi at Mdantsane Indoor Centre next Friday.
The fight to be bankrolled by the provincial department of sport, recreation, arts and culture will be promoted by Fortuin’s new promoter TZ Promotions.
Despite previously fighting under the banner of Sijuta Promotions, Fortuin says she has now signed with TZ and she will take a different route for her career.
“TZ Promotions is now my promoter,” she said emphatically.
However, she could not say if she had decided to leave Sijuta because of the uncertainty engulfing the Andile Sidinile-owned promotional outfit.
Sidinile also doubles as the IBO African commissioner and it is yet to be seen if Fortuin will remain the IBO champion after next Friday’s fight.
The clash against Mokebetsi will top a six-bout show set to celebrate Women’s Month.
Ironically, TZ also featured Fortuin in her world title winning fight in Women’s Month last year.
Other bouts include two more fights involving women featuring Nosipho Bell against Rushda Mallick from Cape Town in a female SA junior-lightweight title clash.
Babalwa Nonqonqotha will come up against Natalia Banner in a six rounds bantamweight encounter.
But the spotlight will be on the 22-year-old Fortuin whose world title winning feat was hugely celebrated as she became the first boxer from Seymour to achieve it.
Having moved to Cape Town, Fortuin says she has since made East London her home where she has joined the camp of former world champion Welcome Ncita.
Fortuin, who still bemoans her loss to Bukiwe Nonina, the only blemish to her perfect eight fights record, says training with Ncita has been an eye-opener.
“He is teaching me things I did not know before. It is such an honour to work with bro Welcome.”
Fortuin says Molebetsi will not last the distance.
“She is definitely falling on her face, mark my words.”
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