WEโVE seen a lot of Commonwealth title fights, sometimes on undercards, sometimes heralding the ascent of a prospect to contender status. But some have a particular significance, especially Stacey Copelandโs bout with Mapule Ngubane for the womenโs super-welterweight title this weekend.
The fight takes place in Harare on Friday (July 13), the first time this belt has been contested and the first time in decades that a Commonwealth title fight has taken place in Zimbabwe.
โI canโt really put into words what it would mean to me to win the Commonwealth title,โ Copeland said. She’s visualised it “reminding myself how much I want it”. “Now that weโre here, this close to having the opportunity, I canโt really describe what it means to me,” she continued. “Especially as the Commonwealth Games [in 2014] the year after I won the European silver medal, and my weight wasnโt in it. To have to sit there and watch, when I felt Iโd earned the right to be there โฆ so to now get the chance to fight for the Commonwealth title as a pro. Itโs just, a massive, massive thing to me. To do it here, in Africa would be phenomenal. Iโm confident I can do it. It means everything.
โRight now itโs the biggest thing in my life.โ
This is only Copelandโs fifth professional fight and a unique adventure. Copeland has travelled out with a UK team, featuring Marc Leach, Sam Antwi and Mickey Ellison. Their fight week has not only included the more typical press conference and weigh in but also visits to schools, an orphanage, where they donated a host of kit and clothing, and even a trip to an animal sanctuary. โI donโt know what we expected but theyโve been very welcoming, everybody in Zimbabwe,โ Stacey said. โWeโve spent some time going around the schools, which is a fantastic experienceโฆ We did a pads demonstration and the kids were dead enthusiastic and excited, hopefully weโve inspired some of them.
โIt was great to meet them, sportโs a brilliant way to connect people.โ
On Friday their attention switches fully to competition. โIโm very, very confident going into the fight. Itโs been brilliant being here part of a team, because once you finish the amateurs you donโt necessarily get quite the same team feel,โ Stacey said. โItโs a big night for all of us, weโve come a very, very long wayโฆ Weโve had great camaraderie and team spirit.
โMe and the rest of the team cannot wait to get in and perform our best.โ