Award-winning actress Manaka Ranaka, fondly known as Lucy on SABC1’s Generations: The Legacy, says she is looking forward to knocking popular dancer Zodwa Wabantu out.
The tough talking Ranaka has been confirmed as the new opponent for Zodwa in a celebrity boxing match.
The fight forms part of the Rise of Women in Boxing tournament to be staged on October 27 at the Ridge Casino, eMalahleni, in Mpumalanga.
Speaking to Sunday World on Friday, Ranaka said boxing is a big sport globally and their job as public figures is to help bring back the love for the sport of fisticuffs in the country and promote its appeal to women.
“Boxing is one of the biggest sports globally. It is a sports of discipline and I have always done boxing, not professionally though. I would occasionally do it at the gym as part of my training regime. But now I am doing it to entertain and restore the dignity of sport,” she said.
I hope to encourage female boxers
Ranaka said she and Zodwa hope to encourage aspiring female boxers to come forth and do what they love.
“Zodwa and I are both kasi girls, we will not fight with helicopter hands. We are a perfect combination,” she said.
“I have always had boxing gloves so if Zodwa steps into the ring wearing a G-string, I will expose my potbelly and show her flames.”
Ranaka has one serious warning: “Zodwa will not know what hit her when she gets into the ring with me. I’m going to knock her out!”
Ranaka steps into action against Zodwa after replacing Khanyi Mbau who withdrew from the fight.
Promoter Arnold Nododile said they are happy to include women in the sport.
“[Women] have always been there but at times those who’re in the sport feel they’re not given as much platform as the men. The die-hard fans of the game will be entertained and will fall in love with boxing again,” said Nododile.
He said the series of women’s tournaments will involve female boxers from other parts of Africa, notably Kenya and Zimbabwe.
