SA boxer Bonita van Jaarsveld displayed courage and determination when she stepped into the ring in Germany under extraordinary circumstances this past weekend.
Scheduled to fight in a highly anticipated match, Van Jaarsveld faced a significant challenge when her coach, Ferdi Basson from the Godfather MMA gym, could not secure his travel visa in time. This left her with no option but to travel alone, without her coach in her corner.
In a display of resourcefulness and commitment, Van Jaarsveld’s manager, Colleen McAusland, swiftly arranged for a local coach in Germany to help her during the fight. Despite the German teams hosting the event being supportive, the language barrier posed an additional challenge because her stand-in coach did not speak English.
Van Jaarsveld fought valiantly, going the full 10 rounds against her opponent. Although she ultimately lost the fight on points, her performance was nothing short of inspiring.
McAusland expressed pride in Van Jaarsveld’s decision to compete despite the circumstances.
“Bonita made the brave choice to fight alone in a foreign country, and she showed incredible grit by going the distance. She did SA proud,” said McAusland.
This match marked a milestone for Van Jaarsveld because it was her first professional fight since her fiancé’s passing last year. Her return to the ring is a testament to her resilience and dedication to the sport.
SA boxing fans understand the challenges of competing abroad, where the odds often favour the host. Van Jaarsveld’s willingness to face these challenges head-on exemplifies the spirit of SA women in boxing.
Her management team is thrilled to see her back in action and looks forward to her continued success.
Van Jaarsveld’s journey in Germany might have ended in a loss, but her courageous performance and unwavering spirit won the hearts of many. The future looks bright for this talented SA boxer.
