Simamkele Tutsheni shines on Women's Day, capturing the IBO All Africa title

Saturday night, on the commemorative occasion of Women's Day, a boxing narrative for the ages unfolded at Emperors Palace.  

The spotlight was on two Capetonian women who, despite being far from their home city, went to war and delivered on every promise of a spectacular bout.  

In a fight thick with anticipation, Simamkele Tutsheni and Caleigh Swart stepped into the ring, vying for the IBO All Africa title. When the final bell rang, it was Tutsheni who emerged as the decisive victor from the judges' scorecards unanimously.

She returned to her home of Langa with the IBO belt, a symbol of a performance as sharp and precise as any she has ever delivered. 

The ten-round contest was a high-octane affair, a true showcase of elite skill. While both women gave their all, Tutsheni’s strategic dominance was clear.  

She controlled the pace, landed the cleaner, more powerful shots, and demonstrated a level of conditioning that allowed her to maintain her fierce intensity through all ten rounds.  

The victory moved her professional record to an impressive 8-0. For many, such a marquee win would be the signal to take a short break, to bask in the glory and take a well-earned rest.

But for Tutsheni, the champion’s work had only just begun. The celebration of her new IBO belt is brief, as her mind is already on the next challenge and the next day’s work. 

“I feel good and I'm very happy, ” she said. 

“But later this week I will be back at the gym because that is what I’m about.”  

 This is the mindset of a true champion, a professional who lives and breathes the sport. Her focus immediately shifted to reviewing her performance, identifying the “little mistakes” she noticed during the bout, and working to fix them.

Her drive isn't just about winning belts, but it's about constant improvement and reaching the pinnacle of her craft. 

In her post-fight reflections, she spoke with a sense of purpose that extended far beyond herself. The fight, broadcast nationwide on Women’s Day, carried a weight of responsibility.  

“We don’t need to only show up for ourselves but to show the world what we as South Africans can do,” she said. 

Her words have a deep desire to change the narrative around South African boxers on the global stage.

“We don’t want the world to look at us as any other easy fight. We need to put the boxing world on notice and show them that if they look the South African way, there will be no easy fights,” she said.  

Her victory, therefore, was not just for her career but for the future of South African female boxing and boxing in the country as a whole. 

 The true weight of her accomplishment hit home upon her return to Langa. Holding the belt, she experienced another surreal and heartwarming moment when neighbors poured out into the streets to welcome her.

She shared the moment with the community's children, who greeted her with joy. This scene solidified her role as a heroine in her community, a title she carries with both pride and profound humility.  

She understands the power of her position and uses it as a platform for inspiration. 

“A lot of kids from my area only know me for being a boxer, being professional and always working out,” she said. “I hope this further inspires a lot of them, especially the parents, to know that this sport has a chance to change someone’s life.”

Tutsheni knows that for many, boxing is often misunderstood as merely a violent pursuit. By coming home with a belt and being seen on national television, she hopes to demystify the sport and highlight its potential.  

She wants parents to see it not just as fighting but as a path to discipline, opportunity and a better future for their children. 

This IBO Africa title is more than a prize for her; she says it's another step on her ambitious journey.

Before the fight, she was ranked 22nd in the world among Super Bantamweights. With this dominant victory, she has now moved into the top 15, moving her significantly closer to her ultimate goal of breaking into the top 5.  

“We are moving and getting there,” she said. 

Western Cape boxing boss Mzoli Tempi commented on Tutsheni's win as being a big step in elevating women's boxing in the Western Cape. He further says this weekend's showing not only benefits the Western Cape boxing but SA women's boxing in its entirety.

To him, having two high-level fighters from Cape Town stealing the show in Joburg is a good setup to push further female fighters to the top of the boxing bills.