Ferreira knocks out Mve, becomes Gauteng champ
Bernice ‘The Badger’ Ferreira faced Sinesipho Mve in the Gauteng junior lightweight title and reigned supreme in just under two minutes of their bout.
Kibler Park’s Bernice Ferreira has added another win to her name after recently fighting against Sinosipho Mve at Kibler Park Recreation Centre.
Ferreira won with knockout (KO) in under two minutes into the fight against Mve, seizing the Gauteng junior lightweight title.
The provincial title fight was scheduled for 10 rounds in the junior lightweight division.
The proud Ferreira said it felt amazing knowing her hard work and preparation paid off.
Going into the fight, her strategy was to finish the fight as quickly as possible.
“I intended to knock her out, as my previous stoppage was a technical knockout. I wanted my first proper KO; I didn’t expect it to happen in the first round. It was my first fight in Johannesburg, so I felt pressure to perform in front of my family and friends,” Ferreira said.
The fight was also her first title shot, “I had to make sure I take that title home and that kept my focus and motivation high”.
“There was no final bell, but when I realised I won with a KO, I was extremely happy. I never really celebrated in the ring, but that day I jumped for joy. The moment they placed that belt around my waist, it was an unexplainable feeling,” she said.
According to the talented boxer and provincial female junior lightweight titleholder, this is her biggest achievement so far – her first proper KO and first title.
“My team and I would love to defend this Gauteng title. And if there is a promoter willing to give me another opportunity for any title shot, we will grab it with both hands. Ultimately, I’m eyeing the SA title. I’m hoping to be back in the ring in July,” Ferreira said.
Her supremacy, mindset and work ethic set her apart from other boxers in her division.
Ferreira thanked her supporters for their unwavering support.
“I would love to send a huge thank you to my partner, Lee-Ann Jansen van Vuuren, and my manager, Colleen McAusland, and my coaches, coach Fatti and coach Jack, and my teammates.
“Also, big appreciation for my sponsors Mobifit, Just Style Me Hair Salon, Justhair Hair Salon, Navigator Trading (Jaun Potas), Jo/ma Se Rusks (Vanessa Venter), Brawl Gear, Badger Logistics and Budler Enterprises,” she said.
McAusland said: “Bernice trained very hard for her fight and delivered despite being ill two weeks before her fight.
“She was just too strong for her opponent. Her work ethic is good, she is disciplined and a hard worker. It was a well-deserved win for her.”
McAusland said Ferreira will soon defend her Gauteng title, and then they will gun for the SA and African Boxing Union (ABU) titles.
