Caleigh Swart’s relentless heart of a champion

Caleigh Swart was crying in a bath when she decided she’d had enough of being overlooked.

It was the national finals, the last day of a brutal week-long amateur tournament. Her weight cut had been relentless – three kilograms in two days – and the pressure was suffocating. But somewhere between the water and the pain, a steelier resolve surfaced. “This is it,” she told herself. “I’m doing this.”And she did.

That moment, soaked in both suffering and clarity, sums up who Swart is. Not a media darling or a product of boxing privilege, just a ferocious competitor with a karate-kid childhood, a tax advisor’s brain, and a fighter’s soul. Raised by a father who taught her to throw punches before she could walk, Swart doesn’t just box, she belongs in the ring. Every jab is a declaration, every bout a reckoning.

Now, undefeated in five professional bouts and unapologetically focused, she stands on the brink of her biggest test yet: Simamkele Tuntsheni, a skilled opponent with power and pedigree. But for Swart, pressure isn’t the enemy. She welcomes it.

Her story isn’t one of accidental discovery; it’s etched into her very DNA. Growing up in Durban, her childhood was steeped in the martial arts philosophy of her parents, who famously met through karate. “From the moment I was in nappies,” Swart recounts, “my dad and I were very close, and he basically was teaching me how to throw punches.” A devout admirer of Bruce Lee, her father Eric instilled a philosophy of discipline and continuous self-improvement, lessons that would later translate seamlessly from karate dojo to boxing ring.

At six, judo briefly took centre stage, but the gravitational pull of karate eventually led her to JKA Durban under the tutelage of Tammy and Wally Fry, “a big influence in my martial arts career.” Her early training forged super-fast hands and intricate footwork, skills honed through countless hours that would become the bedrock of her pugilistic prowess. By 13, Swart was a South African karate champion, but as high school dawned, the traditional martial art faded in popularity, replaced by hockey fields and rugby pitches. Yet, the seed of combat sport remained, lying dormant until destiny called.

The idea of a tax expert delivering precise, powerful punches might seem like a paradox, but for Swart, it’s simply her reality. With an Honours in Tax, she completed her articles at Moore Cape Town, becoming a qualified tax advisor. Today, she navigates a demanding career within the same firm, albeit in a role that allows the necessary flexibility for her burgeoning boxing career.

“My bosses are both sport fanatics themselves,” she explains, one a Comrades runner, the other a keen cyclist, offering a level of understanding that many aspiring athletes only dream of. “As long as I get the work done and I need the monthly targets then it’s fine,” she states, a testament to her disciplined work ethic. This dual life is a delicate dance, often requiring her to catch up on work late evenings or over weekends, a small price to pay for a dream.

Swart’s journey into professional boxing feels almost predestined, a natural evolution of her martial arts roots. Yet, it wasn’t without its crucible moments. Her transition from amateur to professional was ignited by a deeply personal challenge. The sudden passing of her father left her adrift, searching for purpose. “The responsible thing to do is go to university, get a degree,” she thought, and she did. But the fighter within yearned for a different arena.

Her toughest moment, she reveals, came during her amateur career at the South African Nationals. A last-minute opportunity to attend, despite not being selected for the Western Province team after an unfortunate weight disparity in a previous fight, presented itself. It meant a gruelling weight cut of 3kg in just two days, following a weekend of relaxed amateur habits.

This physical and mental torment birthed a new level of conviction. “In my mind, I’m saying the suffering is worth it now because you’re gonna become champion.” She fought three days in a row in the tournament, meticulously maintaining weight each morning. This ordeal, culminating in her winning the national title and being named “Best Elite Female” of the tournament among 400 participants, was her proving ground.”It just clicked,” she affirms, “the art of boxing has clicked now.”

“For Swart, It’s About More Than Winning — It’s About Being Seen”

Now, the focus sharpens on Tuntsheni. Swart describes her as “the most skilled fighter that I probably would have stepped into the ring against as a professional. She is quite quick and she throws a lot of straight punches.”

This isn’t a fight against a lesser opponent; it’s a true benchmark. Swart and her core team, head boxing coach Matt Lesisching, and strength and conditioning guru Don Madge (who also handles her nutrition), have meticulously crafted a game plan.

While details remain under wraps, one significant factor looms large: the 10-round distance. “It’s going to be interesting because it’s 10 rounds and I don’t think she’s ever gone 10 rounds before, but then, neither have I,” Swart admits with a wry honesty. Her preparation is geared for the long haul, preparing for all 10 rounds, acknowledging the unknown territory. Her confidence, however, is palpable: “we’ve got a game plan and I’m quite capable of making adjustments on the night when I need to.”

What truly drives her when she steps through the ropes transcends titles and accolades. “What drives me is I want to be – and I know I can be – the best and it’s I know I have this incredible ability to fight. I am a fighter. It’s in my blood.”

This conviction fuels her every move. She wants the world to see what she can do, especially as a female athlete. “People are in awe of it,” she says. “They can’t believe what they’ve seen and what they’re experiencing.”

For Swart, every fight is a performance, a chance to showcase the “art of boxing” that has clicked within her. A loss, if it comes, is acceptable “if it is entertaining and an incredible fight to watch.”

Off the canvas, Swart is a hybrid athlete and a restless spirit. She surfs, plays hockey, reads voraciously, meditates, spends time with her cat, and nurtures tight bonds with family and close friends. “I like to recharge through different sports and being in nature. Surfing, especially, is its own therapy for me.”

She offers simple but robust advice: “Be yourself. The process is tough; mental, physical, and emotional. But if you love it, the suffering is worth it because becoming a champion is worth it. You’ll reflect, you’ll get better every fight, and you’ll find pride in every drop of sweat.”

She acknowledges the challenging landscape of women’s boxing in South Africa. “It’s been very pretty much dormant,” she observes. “No one talks about it. No one knows female boxing in South Africa.”

While other female sports like rugby, soccer, and cricket have seen a significant rise, professional female boxing still seeks its breakout star. Swart sees her role as precisely that: to step out, to perform, and to inspire. “That’s what I want to show. I want to serve the country. Like, look, this is Caleigh. She’s a phenomenal female athlete and this is what she can do.”

The vision extends beyond the IBO All Africa title. “I would love to try and have an international fight, definitely, as you know, after this fight, just because we want to see the level I’m at.”

It’s about measuring herself against the world’s best, confirming that she is indeed level with other females on an international level.

When not immersed in tax returns or intense training camps, Swart lives a life dedicated to holistic well-being and quiet passions. “I’ve been doing a lot of meditating in the mornings,” she shares, a practice that has been “a big game changer in my mindset.” It sets the tone for her day, calming her mind and providing a vital grounding force.

Reading good books, maintaining a “manifestation journal” every evening, and spending quality time with family and close friends are her preferred ways to recharge. Her innate athleticism still yearns for diverse movement; “I’ve always just been a hybrid,” she laughs, admitting a fondness for surfing when the opportunity arises.

Swart is more than just an undefeated boxer; she is a meticulously crafted individual, a blend of prowess, unwavering discipline, and a deep-seated passion for her craft. As she steps into the ring against Tuntsheni at Emperors Palace next month, she carries not just her own ambition, but the hope of elevating women’s boxing in South Africa.

Her journey is a compelling narrative of finding purpose in the fight, both inside and outside the ropes, proving that true champions are forged not just by punches, but by passion and perseverance.