PULL QUOTE = \u201cWe\u2019ll make sure she is champion again; she needs a second chance.\u201d \u2014 Colleen McCausland<\/p>\n
Former WBF junior-featherweight boxing champion Gabisile \u201cSimply the Best\u201d Tshabalala has joined the growing stable of manager Colleen McCausland with the intention of getting back on track.<\/p>\n
Her career has been stagnant since her long-time trainer, Elias Mpembe, passed away.<\/p>\n
McCausland has done well for several female boxers, including Bernice \u201cThe Badger\u201d Ferreira, who has won two titles in nine fights \u2014 the Gauteng and the SA junior-lightweight belts.<\/p>\n
Arafa Coch will train Tshabalala at McCausland\u2019s gym.<\/p>\n
\u201cI signed her on Saturday,\u201d said McCausland.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe went through tough times when her trainer passed on. If she puts in her work, I will make her a champion again. <\/p>\n
\u201cYou become like those that you surround yourself with. My girls [including WBO African champ Simangele \u201dSmash\u201d Hadebe] train hard.<\/p>\n
\u201cTheir attitude will just roll to hers; we\u2019ll make sure she is champion again; she needs a second chance.\u201d <\/p>\n
Tshabalala\u2019s boxing journey began under Mpembe when she was just 14.<\/p>\n
Boxing shaped her discipline, forged her identity and fuelled her relentless fighting spirit. In 2010, she was named Boxing SA Prospect of the Year, and a year later, she captured the SA title.<\/p>\n
Her career reached a global milestone in 2015 when she claimed the WBF world title, cementing her status on the international stage. <\/p>\n
Her career, however, faced a devastating setback with the passing of Mpembe.<\/p>\n
Yet, even in silence and away from the spotlight, Tshabalala never stopped being a fighter.<\/p>\n
With the right guidance, structure and opportunity, she possesses everything needed to rise again.<\/p>\n
\u201cTalent deserves opportunity,\u201d said McCausland. <\/p>\n
\u201cResilience deserves recognition. And true fighters never stay down forever.<\/p>\n
\u201cTshabalala is back \u2014 not chasing memories, but building a comeback. The journey continues. The fire still burns. And this time, she\u2019s not fighting alone.\u201d<\/p>\n
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