Award-winning actress Manaka Ranaka, popularly known as Lucy on SABC1's Generations: The Legacy, has announced her participation in a celebrity boxing match against renowned dancer Zodwa Wabantu. The highly-anticipated fight is scheduled to take place on October 27 at the Ridge Casino in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga, as part of the Rise of Women in Boxing tournament.
Ranaka expressed her excitement about the event, highlighting the global appeal and significance of boxing as a sport. As public figures, she believes it is their responsibility to revive interest in the sport of boxing in South Africa and particularly promote its appeal to women. Although Ranaka has previously incorporated boxing into her training regime, this will be her first venture into boxing as a form of entertainment and a means to restore the sport's dignity.
“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
Moreover, Ranaka and Zodwa aim to inspire aspiring female boxers to pursue their passion and showcase their talent. As representatives of the township culture ("kasi girls"), they will bring their unique styles to the ring, promising an entertaining showdown. Ranaka humorously mentioned her readiness to unleash her boxing skills, even if Zodwa opts for a less conventional attire such as a G-string.
“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!”
Confident in her abilities, Ranaka issued a stern warning to her opponent, claiming that Zodwa will be caught off guard and knocked out during their match. Ranaka replaced Khanyi Mbau, who withdrew from the fight and promoter Arnold Nododile expressed his satisfaction with including 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.
