Ntombokuqala Tolashe with her SA crown.
Just days after being crowned the queen of South African boxing in the featherweight division, Ntombokuqala Tolashe has set her sights on international competition.
The Capetonian boxer captured the South African title in August after defeating Matshidiso Mokebisi by points in a 10-round battle in Ottery.
It was her third attempt at the SA crown, having fallen short in her previous two tries. As the saying goes, third time’s a charm, and Tolashe proved it by claiming victory on her next opportunity.
Tolashe's win marked a significant milestone in her career and soon after, she was called to compete on the international stage.
On Wednesday December 4, she jetted off to South Korea to face Bo Mi Re Shin, a seasoned opponent with a formidable record including past world-title challenges.
Tolashe, however, is not intimidated. She says giving up is simply not in her vocabulary and it's this mindset that has brought her to this moment.
"This opportunity is not just about me," she said.
"It’s also about showing the world what Cape Town has to offer in the ring. I hope this opens doors for other talented female boxers from the Mother City. Coming back with a win would make this journey even sweeter."
Tolashe is thrilled about the chance to showcase her boxing skills on the international stage. "I’m very excited. This has always been my dream. I’ve always wanted to show my boxing to the world," she said.
While she is aware of the challenges posed by her opponent, she remains confident in her preparation.
"I’ve put in a lot of work for this fight and after studying her, I know I can get the result I want. I’m not going to travel so far from home and not give it my all. This is a chance to show what we can do in Cape Town, and hopefully, it will be the start of many opportunities for other women in the Western Cape," she added.
Western Cape boxing boss Mzoli Tempi is equally grateful for the opportunity presented to Tolashe.
"Boxing is a business, so winning the SA title opened the door to the world stage. Opportunities are there for the taking, but the chosen ones need to seize those moments and make their mark. Her performance will have an impact on our relationships with international promoters," said Tempi.
Tempi was part of a group that visited Tolashe before her departure to wish her well ahead of her 10-round bout on Saturday December 7.