Simangele Hadebe: Africa’s Top Flyweight Boxer

Simangele “Smash” Hadebe has been on an incredible winning streak, remaining undefeated in her last six fights. Her latest victory not only solidified her as Africa’s top-ranked boxer but also moved her up to eighth in the world flyweight rankings.

Hadebe’s journey to the top has been marked by resilience and determination. Reflecting on her achievement, she shared, “Being number one in Africa means a lot to me. As a woman in boxing, I constantly have to prove myself, yet we don’t get as many opportunities as men.”

Grateful for the support from her sponsors, RGM Cranes and Drivetrain, and her manager Colleen McAusland, Hadebe added, “I couldn’t have done this without them.”

While being the top boxer comes with its challenges, including pressure to maintain her ranking and difficulty finding opponents willing to fight her, Hadebe remains focused. She recently defended her African Boxing Union (ABU) title with a stunning first-round victory over Tanzania’s Jesca Mfinanga.

However, frequent cancellations and postponements of her bouts have been a frustration. “I’m hoping to be more active this year to keep my ranking,” Hadebe said. “Every fight I win boosts my ranking, and I’m eager to compete in more Women in Boxing events to defend my titles.”

For Hadebe, boxing is more than just a sport—it’s her passion and purpose. “Boxing gave me a voice to speak out about child abuse and helped me cope after years of silence,” she shared.