Prize money keeps me in boxing. IBA is doing a great job, and we appreciate their efforts. – Ivanusa Moreira

Cape Verde’s Ivanusa ‘Nancy’ Moreira is determined to win her first-ever medal at the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Niš, Serbia, from March 8-16, 2025. After quarterfinal finishes in 2022 and 2023, the 37-year-old is confident this is her year.

Moreira debuted in 2022 in Istanbul, Türkiye, defeating Oumayma Belahbib (Morocco) and Everline Akinyi (Kenya) before losing to Canada’s Charlie Cavanagh. In 2023, she reached the quarterfinals again in New Delhi, India, falling to Kazakhstan’s Nadezhda Ryabets.

Now ranked world No. 2, Moreira is preparing for the competition with her longtime coach and husband, Jorge Silva. She acknowledges the dominance of Asian and European boxers but believes African fighters have the strength to close the gap.

“My goal is to reach the finals; I believe I am one of the best in the world,” she said. A late starter at 23, Moreira won Cape Verde’s only boxing medal, a bronze, at the 2019 African Games. She plans to keep competing as long as she feels capable. She also praised the IBA for supporting boxers financially. “Prize money keeps me in boxing. IBA is doing a great job, and we appreciate their efforts,” she said. Moreira’s journey in Niš will be closely watched as she aims to make history for Cape Verde and African boxing.