DEON POTGIETER, Johannesburg | Monday 11.35am.
IRICHELLE Duran, daughter of boxing legend Roberto Duran arrived in South Africa on Sunday afternoon ahead of professional boxing debut in South Africa in May.
Having signed with South African promoters Golden Gloves, she will be fighting on May 13, in what promises to be the first professional fight between two woman in this country.
Slightly over-awed by all the attention she was receiving, a shy but charming Duran said that she did not mind that people placed her in the shadow of her father.
“It does put a lot of pressure on me though,” said the 23-year-old bantamweight with the looks of a model, rather than a boxer.
“They expect me to be as good as what he was. I only hope that I can live up to the expectations.”
The signing of Duran by Golden Gloves is seen as an international coup.
“This contract can foreseeable be the most lucrative partnership we’ve ever had,” said Rodney Berman of Golden Gloves. “And that includes fighters like Vuyani Bungu and Brian Mitchell.”
“Although my father was initially against my boxing,” added the Panamanian born beauty; “we have now come to terms and my whole family supports me.”
Duran will be ringside at the triple world title bill taking place at Carnival city in Brakpan on Saturday night.