What started as lockdown training at Langa train station has led to a world title opportunity for one of South Africa’s fastest-rising female fighters.
Cape Town, South Africa (24 February 2026) – From the rural Eastern Cape to the bright lights of an international title bout in Poland, Simamkele Tutsheni’s rise in boxing has been nothing short of remarkable.
The 24-year-old, who now lives in Langa, Cape Town, is one of South Africa’s fastest-rising female fighters under the banner of Golden Gloves, Africa’s biggest boxing promoter. Undefeated after eight professional fights, she currently holds the International Boxing Organisation’s Africa junior champion title and is preparing for a World Championship Boxing Title fight in March.
But her journey into the ring was never part of a grand plan.
“During COVID, the rugby fields were closed, so I was just running every day. I saw some guys training boxing outside at Langa train station because gyms were closed. I joined them the first day, went back the second day, and on the third day they told me to spar. After that, when the gyms opened, I said, ‘No, I want this sport.’”
Within a year of picking up the gloves, she won the Western Cape Provincial title. From there, her career gathered pace. She turned professional in 2022, at a time when there were only four female pros in the province.
“It’s not easy for girls to get opportunities. Sometimes there are tournaments with many bouts for men and maybe only one for women, sometimes none at all. We’re told we can’t get paid the same. But we pushed. With my trainers and promoters, they took me far.”
Her confidence, however, has never wavered.
“From my first fight, I knew I could go far. I won by knockout in Kimberley. The second fight was also a knockout. It felt like I was meant for this.”
For Simamkele, discipline has always been the foundation of her success.
“You can train every day, but if you’re not disciplined outside the gym, you’re nothing. Sometimes there’s no motivation, that’s why discipline is the best thing.”
Now ranked number 18 in the world in her division, Simamkele has her sights set firmly on the top five and on making history.
“I’m excited. I’m the first lady from South Africa to go and fight for a world title. I’m grateful to represent my country, and I’m going to make them proud. I want to see our flag in the top five in my division.”
It all started with a chance encounter at a train station to a world title fight in Poland. Simamkele reminds us that greatness begins by simply showing up and staying disciplined enough to keep going.
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