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Johannesburg - World Boxing Federation (WBF) female bantamweight champion Bukiwe “Anaconda” Nonina is growing increasingly frustrated at not getting any fights.
She also fears losing her title for being inactive.
Nonina has not fought in almost four months – since winning the then vacant WBF crown by beating German Alesia “Tigress” Graf by a unanimous points decision at Oliver Tambo Sports Centre in Khayelitsha, Western Cape, on March 31.
The boxer says she was promised regular action after signing a contract in December to fight under the banner of promoter Sibongile Matiti of Zbashy Promotions. But no fights have come her way.
Her fight with Graf was staged by German boxing impresario Uwe Hück.
“I was promised regular action when I signed with Zbashy, but nothing has been said by them about a match yet,” said Nonina.
“I’m in the dark as to when my next fight will be. I run the risk of losing my belt for being inactive,” said Nonina, adding that the silence about her next fight was “really frustrating”.
According to the WBF rules, she may be stripped of the championship belt if she does not defend it within nine months of her win.
Arguably the country’s most accomplished female fighter, the Dutywa, Eastern Cape fighter has successfully defended her South African title five times.
She relinquished it after ascending the WBF throne.
A peeved Matiti said Nonina would be fighting in North West in September. Then she hung up the phone.
The boxer’s trainer, Emmanuel Mutavhatsindi, said: “If the promoter does not deliver on the promise she made to us when we signed, it will be better for us to remain without a promoter.”
Anaconda has had 11 wins, three defeats and a draw from 15 professional fights.
