Gloves on, head high: undefeated teen boxer aims for more titles

In Rabie Ridge, where opportunities for young people are scarce, a 14-year-old girl is punching her way to the top. And behind every jab, hook and uppercut is a coach who spends his own time and money to keep his fighters focused on something bigger than the streets.

Ugat is the reigning Gauteng champion in her weight division, undefeated since she first stepped into the ring.

Last September, she was crowned national champion in the 44-46kg category, adding to her Ekurhuleni and Gauteng titles. She maintained her unbeaten record - twelve bouts, twelve wins - a streak she is determined to protect.

Growing up in a community where teenage temptations like drinking and smoking were common, Kate found boxing as a way to focus her energy on something positive.

"I chose boxing because it was something that could take me away from all these teenage things like drinking, smoking and stuff like that," she says. "I chose boxing over everything."

Kate's boxing journey began in 2021, when she was just 11. A friend told her the local boxing club was looking for a female boxer. She had never thrown a punch before, but she didn't hesitate.

"I said, 'I'm up for the challenge.' When I walked into the club, I saw everyone boxing and told myself I wanted to be one of them."

And the rest is history.

Her next competition came the following year - an informal show bout against a boy.

"It was never-wracking," she says with a shy grin. "But I won."

Now, her eyes are set on the October championships, where she plans to defend her title.

Inspired by boxing greats Mike Tyson and three-time women's champion Katie Taylor, she dreams of one day meeting Taylor in person.

"I like her movement and the power in her punches. I want to get to her level. Meeting her would be a dream come true - a 'wow' moment."

Her life runs to a disciplined rhythm: early morning gym before school, homework after classes, and training again in the afternoon. Closer to competitions, she adds morning runs to cut weight if necessary. She's not an "A" student, she admits, but she is doing very well at school - something her coach is very proud of.

The man in her corner, coach Anthony MacPherson, saw something in Kate early on.

"I can see when someone has the potential to go far. You see it in how they train, their discipline, commitment, their movements and their reaction."

McPherson’s roots in boxing run deep - his father was a boxer, and the sport has been part of his life since childhood.

In 2019, he decided to start his own club in his garage in Rabie Ridge, after discovering there was no boxing in the area, only soccer. It was just before the Covid-19 lockdown.

"Every day I saw young people with nothing to do. That really bothered me. I've always wanted to have my own club, not just for boxing but to keep kids off the streets."

Today, Beyond Limits Sporting Academy has 10 younger fighters, eight of them already graded and ready to compete.

Kate is the first to win competitions.

McPherson has a special focus on recruiting female boxers - a rarity in the sport.

But the club survives entirely on his personal resources. He lives in Kempton Park but drives to Rabie Ridge most days to train his fighters.

There's no permanent training facility - they use a community hall where they can't hang punching bags or make alterations. Equipment is limited: one headgear, two bags and a few pairs of gloves.

It’s why McPherson is appealing to the public and potential sponsors for help - to secure a dedicated space, buy equipment and give his fighters the environment they need to grow.

"The most important thing is space. If we had dedicated premises, we could do so much more. It's a big struggle. I don't want to complain and make it all about that, but here I have a champion without any sponsors. It proves you can do it. Yes, we need support - but that doesn't mean you sit back and wait for it. You carry on and make something with what you have."

He doesn't charge fees, knowing most families can't afford them.

"Without my wife and kids I would not be able to do this, he says. " We fund it from our own home."

Changing more than records

For McPherson, success isn't just measured by trophies.

"It's not about the club being recognised - it's about the boxers excelling, not just in the ring, but in life. As long as you turn out to be a better person, I'll be happy."

Kate is proof. Her teachers have told McPherson her manners have improved, her marks have gone up, and she's chosen better friends since she started boxing.

"She's here because of the work she has put in," he says. "I tell all my kids - you can all do it, just bring your side.