Simwaka wins bout in SA through TKO

Celebrated South Africa-based female Malawian boxer Ellen ‘The Tigress’ Simwaka at the weekend added Asandiswa Nxokwana to her growing list of casualties with a second-round technical knockout (TKO) victory.

The non-title International Female Bantamweight fight was held at ESPN Africa Boxing 24 in Johannesburg.

A report by espn.com said the scales swung in the Malawian boxer’s favour right from the word go.

Reads the report in part: “Simwaka was the more aggressive of the two and threw a lot of punches from the opening bell.

“Nxokwana was nowhere to be found in the first round and received a lot of punishment in the second.

“Consequently, the South African failed to answer the bell for the third round.”

In an interview yesterday, Simwaka described the fight as easy.

“I was in the mood and she couldn’t stand the heat. Compared to the guys I spar with at the gym, she was no match,” she said.

The 30-year-old said she now plans to defend her International Boxing Federation international bantamweight belt in February.

She won it in April this year against South African Smangele Hadebe before defending it in August against Zambian Lina Kasweka.

“I am ready for anything that God has in store for me and I look forward to bigger opportunities next year,” said Simwaka.

Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board president Lonzoe Defector Zimba said they are proud of Simwaka’s exploits.

He said: “Ellen continues to fly the Malawian flag high. This was her third straight win, two of them international title fights and that’s no mean feat at all.

“She is on top of her game and I urge Malawians to support her. We have heard about businesspersons and executives honouring their boxers who have won international titles and I wish the same could happen here.

“We need to appreciate her international exploits now to motivate and encourage her.”

Simwaka’s record stands at 12 wins, five losses and two draws while Asandiswa has seven wins, five losses and two draws.