Local female bantamweight boxer Seani Morite is set to make her professional boxing debut against Lee-Ann Janse Van Vuuren at the Klipriviersberg Recreation Hall on 22 June.

Morite, brimming with confidence, said that she was very optimistic about her chances of winning in the upcoming fight, despite not knowing much about her opponent. Morite’s confidence stems from her rigorous training regimen, which includes sparring with male boxers at the gym.

“Naturally, men hit harder than women, and if you go through five rounds with male boxers during the sparring sessions, you must know that you are fit and strong,” she said. “It is all systems go for me, and I am even ready to fight her now.”

Her trainer and manager, John “Smoking Joe” Nemakonde, has intensified the training sessions after three of his boxers recently lost their fights in Cape Town. Determined to ensure better results, Nemakonde has taken a no-nonsense approach.

“Despite the fact that we don’t have boxing equipment in the gym, we are going to work harder. We need no equipment to do push-ups, roadwork, and stomach exercises. I read them the riot act in the gym on Monday this week. You either work harder or you jump ship. I have no space for boxers who are not dedicated to the sport here,” he said.