Fighter to assess her psychological recovery

Golden Gloves Foundation bosses, matchmaker Jeff Ellis and general manager Lehlohonolo Ramagole should be commended for taking it easy with Simamkele “Sim the Champ” Tuntsheni, who will make her come back on Thursday night.

A former IBO Africa junior-featherweight champion, Tuntsheni from the Western Cape, took severe beating from Monica “Savage” Mkandla in July.

Mkandla from Zimbabwe, whose career is guided here by trainer Vusi Mtolo and manager Marco Louis, outboxed Tuntsheni before stopping her in the sixth round.

Before that one-sided fight, staged by Golden Gloves, Tuntsheni dropped an unanimous points loss to Laura Monika Grzyb from Poland for the IBO world title in Poland in March.

Ellis and Ramagole are responsible for matching boxers for participation in Golden Gloves Foundation’s Shaya Thursday series. They were careful in their selection of an opponent for Tuntsheni, who will welcome Misiwe Ndlovu – a four-fight novice on October 29.

Trained by Alison Nkosi, Ndlovu has two wins and two losses.

Matching a boxer who comes from severe beating requires one to be strategic because the idea is to rebuild their confidence. Tuntsheni’s health is paramount and she needs a match up that will enable her management to assess her psychological recovery.

Ellis found someone who poses minimal risk but could give Tuntsheni a few rounds of safe work. Ndlovu has a low knockout ratio, something that will allow Tuntsheni to overcome the psychological fear of getting hit.

“To be honest, it’s difficult because I have never seen Ndlovu in action,” said Tuntsheni’s s trainer, Felix Venganayi.

“It is always difficult to fight someone you don’t know. Ndlovu is a closed book but we will need one round to read her and adjust. But we are prepared for everything she will bring on the table.”

He said Tuntsheni lost a bit of confidence after losing to Mkandla. “But based on her conduct during our preparations, I think she is ready to bounce back,” he said.

Ntethelelo “Baby G” Nkosi will headline the series with a non-title fight – his first in the welterweights – against Calvin Madondo.

Nkosi is a former SA junior-welterweight champ.

Six amateur bouts will pave the way for professional fights.