If you’ve ever put on a pair of boxing gloves, then you
will have a slight idea of how professional boxer Noni Tenge feels when she
gets into the ring to participate in the sport she so dearly loves. Although turning
professional back in June 2007 means she now earns money for what she does, it
certainly was not the motivating factor behind her taking up the sport.
Noni is South
Africa’s number one women’s boxer in the
Welterweight division, and holder of an international WBF title, with seven
professional fights under her belt. What’s most impressive is that she is yet
to be beaten in her young pro career, having secured five knockouts, one draw
and one long distance win against African and international opposition.
Noni has always been good at sport, having been a long
distance athlete, and having also played netball. But it was boxing that stole
her heart, and now at 27, is the most well-known women’s boxer in the country.
Mbali Zantsi, gsport’s February 2009 Woman, is a big admirer
of Noni and had this to say when approached by gsport for comment: "Noni is a
beautiful girl. She is going places. She is an extrovert and she talks. She is
marketable. She is your Muhammed or Laila Ali.
"I have been watching Noni since she was an amateur so that
it is why I took her on because she was one of the first female boxers who
turned professional in South
Africa and she showed great potential.
"She is disciplined, she doesn’t look at herself as a
female boxer – she just sees herself as a boxer. Noni has always loved boxing
and she is very vocal and very passionate about the sport. The sport needs
someone who is strong, somebody who will be able to take the punches, expect to
be beaten and knocked down at some point, and still persevere to be the best
she can be."
It hasn’t been an easy life for Noni, who admits that being
a professional boxer helps her take care of her family financially. But she is
still able to look on the bright side and dream big. She has a warm heart and
if given the opportunity would love to be a social worker so she can advise the
youth.
For now, one of her goals for 2009 is to travel
internationally to fight. Long-term, Noni would like to become South Africa’s
first female boxing commentator.
Considering how hard she has worked to make her mark in the
ring, there is no doubt that Noni will achieve whatever she sets out to do.
Introducing gsport’s February 2009 gSTAR, South Africa’s
best known women’s boxer, Noni Tenge!
Noni, you’ve already
had an amazing start to the year, haven’t you?
Yes, it’s been an amazing start…I fought my seventh
professional fight last month and I won!
Are you fighting in
the welterweight division?
Yes and what this means is that I must fight against
someone who has the same weight as me – 66.68kgs is the limit in this division.
Who is your coach?
I am working with more than two people in my gym. Everybody
has got the responsibility to take care of me since I am an amateur. I am with
a development club that coaches both amateur and professional boxers. There are
only men I train with.
Now you are Number
One in Welterweight in South
Africa, am I right?
Yes, you are right… laughs! I am very proud to have
achieved this. I grew up in a boxing family and I am now 27. I have been number
one in the amateur level previously, this is the first time I am number one in
the professional level. My dad was a boxer, too.
When did you turn
professional?
I turned professional on the 14th of June 2007.
It was illegal previously for women to box here in South Africa. I was always telling
myself that if government could give us a chance for women to prove ourselves,
I knew I’d be the one. It’s almost 10 years that I have been boxing.
How many pro fights
have you had so far?
I’ve only had seven fights – five knockouts, one draw and
one win, by means of long distance.
What was your most
difficult fight?
I think it was the fourth fight against the Cameroonian
girl. The problem for me was that she was a middle-weighter. But I picked up
4kgs to make it 70kgs to match her weight. It was very heavy for me, and I was
not comfortable. She was so tall, making it more difficult. That fight was a
draw.
Do you work or are
you boxing full-time?
I box full-time, but I gym only two and a half hours a day.
I’d like a job because I have some time; I have got electrical engineering
experience.
Where do you live?
I live in Mdantsane, East London.
Where I train is 5kms away from home.
Did you always love
sport, what other sport were you good at while growing up?
I was an athlete and enjoyed long distance running. I was
also good at 5000metres. I was also a netball player and although I didn’t have
good height, I was good at it. I am very good at sport… laughs!
What is the state of
women’s boxing in South
Africa?
It will come a time when people will realise that there is
something about women. We’re not supposed to only stay in the kitchen, doing
the cooking, so our family can eat. I didn’t realise that I would be here
today. But I can see that people respect me for what I do. I first took it as a
hobby but now I am a champion.
To improve boxing in South Africa, it must start at an
early age; at primary school, from grade one to grade 8, from grade 8 to the
higher level. At school, they must be taught boxing too, not just running. The
teachers must encourage these children.
What is the best
advice you’ve been given in your career?
Don’t drive and don’t smoke. If you want to be the greatest
fighter ever known, just focus and give yourself a chance and commit yourself
to what you are doing. That’s the best advice I ever got from my best friend
who always supports me.
In 1998, I thought of retiring because I needed to take
care of my sisters. We don’t have parents – they left us at a shelter when we
were young – but he has supported me throughout and I am thankful.
Obviously you’re now
a Pro boxer and you win purses. Would you advise someone to take up the sport
so they can make money?
I didn’t take boxing to make money. I took boxing because I
was committing myself to do good because women also do crime but I didn’t want
to be known for that. I always said that if I pass matric, I would keep myself
busy doing something, even if it was not sport. I always told myself that if I
can’t reach my career goals, I will get involved in human relations because I like
to solve problems for the young people and for elders too.
As a professional
boxer, what is the most money you have won?
I’d rather not talk about it. It’s not about money but
about your love for the sport. But you can make money from the sport because government
is supporting us. 
gsport strives to
celebrate femininity. How would you define femininity and what role does it
play in your life?
Men used to previously say "Ladies First" but not anymore
because I think there is more jealousy now. They always thought that women
belonged in the kitchen but we have proved them wrong. Soccer put us on the
map, showing the men that women can do it for themselves. It’s not about being
first, it’s about committing yourself. I am big today because I have believed
in myself. You can be anything in life, nobody can judge you – only God can
judge you.
My late mother disliked boxing because she felt I was a
woman and shouldn’t be getting involved in this physical sport. But I fought
for my rights and I told her that I will put my family on the map, and I have.
What is your biggest
wish for 2009?
To go overseas so I can have another belt. I have a lot of
chances to go. I don’t know the international boxers that well but I will take
what I get. I only see her inside the ring on the day of the fight. I always
respect my opponent but I still like to win.
Who are your role
models?
I like people who inspire others; that’s why if I had a
chance to further my career, I would become a social worker.
What is your greatest
ambition?
To be a woman commentator in boxing. There isn’t even one
at the moment so I am hoping its going to be me.
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