Simwaka set for tonight’s title bout in Scotland
South Africa-based Malawian female boxer Ellen Simwaka says she is set for tonight’s Commonwealth bantamweight title bout against her Scottish opponent Kristen Fraser in Aberdeen.
Simwaka, nicknamed ‘The Tigress’, takes to the DoubleTree by Hilton Aberdeen Treetops Hotel ring at 11pm for the 10-round bout.
Speaking in an interview through WhatsApp yesterday morning, the 22-year-old boxer said she is not moved with the prospects of facing Fraser in front of a passionate home crowd in the Granite City fight.
Simwaka said: “I can’t wait really and I have never been in such good shape and I am confident. I want to win it for my country and Africa as a whole.”
She also told the Evening Standard of the United Kingdom that having fought in front of hostile crowds before, she has no reason to be fazed in the Granite City.
“I am not worried about the crowd in Aberdeen. I don’t care about that.
“I am just going to Scotland for Kristen in the ring, not the crowd. This is my chance to win a Commonwealth title. I need that belt and aim to take it,” Simwaka, who is the reigning international bantamweight champion, was quoted as having said.
She boasts seven wins, (five knockouts), four losses (one KO) and a draw.
“I have never been to Scotland before, this will be my first time. I am hungry for that Commonwealth title and aim to leave Scotland with it I want to thank my manager, Stephen Castle, and my trainer for the support they are giving to me.
“Fighting for the Commonwealth title is a big opportunity for me and I aim to take it. I am preparing for all 10 rounds, however, if it is going to be a knockout that would be good. However, I am preparing to go the distance if needed,” she added.
On the other hand, Fraser hopes to create history by becoming the first Scottish female boxer to win the Commonwealth bantamweight title.
The 30-year-old, who has won all five of her pro bouts, was quoted by The Press and journal, as having said: “This is definitely the biggest fight of my career so far. It is a Commonwealth title fight so this is a really important period in my career.
“Everything that has come before, both as an amateur and a professional, has been building to this point. It is also, hopefully, a stepping stone to bigger things.”
