Smangele fought to a draw against Malawian
“Even though I didn’t bring the title back home, I am proud that I didn’t walk away as a loser.”
![](https://images.caxton.co.za/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2018/05/IMG_0938_24131.jpg)
KwaThema – Smangele Hadebe fought to a draw against Malawian boxer Emmel Dron in the African Boxing Union (AUB) championship in Turffontein on Friday evening.
The two locked horns until the 10th round and the draw was determined through points.
This was said to be one of Smangele’s biggest fights this year.
Smangele was the first female fighter from the city to participate in this championship.
She was crowned the Female Prospect of the Year 2017 at the South African Boxing Awards in Port Elizabeth.
Smangele says Emmel was a good challenge but she also had to be strong and fight to the end.
“Even though I didn’t bring the title back home, I am proud that I didn’t walk away as a loser.
“The fight will go into history as one of the best fights I participated in ever since I started boxing,” she says.
Trainer Themba Zulu says he is proud of Smangele for bringing her A-game to the fight.
“We have been preparing very hard to be ready for the championship.
“She deserved to win the match but the judges saw the game differently,” he says.