Sivenathi Nontshinga has the potential to be a global superstar - Welcome Ncita

Nontshinga beat competition from John Bopape and Phumelela Cafu to win this award. With the first defense of his world title taking place tomorrow in East London, he didn’t attend the event as expected.

But the first South African to hold an IBF title Welcome “Hawk” Ncita, says as the country’s only credible champion, he has got the potential to be a superstar.

"He's the only world champion [in South Africa] and the good part of it is that he's still young and he still has great potential to be a superstar depending on his handlers," Ncita said.

African Boxing Union (ABU) and South African Female Flyweight champion Simangele “Smash” Hadebe was crowned as the Female Boxer of the Year, beating a strong contest from Bukiwe “Anaconda” Nonina.  

Hadebe believes that the ABU title got the nod for her.

"I'm very happy and I'm honoured, I'm excited, I'm just overwhelmed. Thanks to Boxing South Africa, thank you to the people who recognise me, thank you to everyone who nominated me and who saw my work in the sport. Being the first female to win the ABU title last year, I think that's a big hit that made me win this. I'm defending it in August and I'm aiming for more," Hadebe said.

Cafu, who also had a successful and eventful year, beating veteran boxer Oscar Chauke and winning two out of three fights including the exciting first draw with Chauke, admits that Nontshinga was a deserved winner of the award.

"I was nominated in three categories, Fight of the Year, Male Boxer of the Year and KO of the Year and I've managed to win one award. I'm grateful but I was actually aiming to win all the awards but I won one so I'm truly grateful. I think every winner that won today deserves to win. Everyone that was nominated deserves to be nominated and also congratulations to Nontshinga. I think he deserves the award because he's the only world champion that we have in the country, so I think they made the right choice by giving him the award," Cafu said.