Breaking Barriers: Why You Should Watch BET’s New Series Pound 4 Pound

Women’s boxing takes centre stage in Pound 4 Pound, a gripping 13-episode South African TV series that challenges the status quo. The show follows Lindiwe Mkhwanazi, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of South Africa’s Boxing Federation, as she makes a bold move registering an all-women’s team for a major Boxing Championship in Lagos, Nigeria. She does this all without official backing. 

With limited resources and a system stacked against them, Lindiwe and her team fight through misogyny, loss, and personal struggles to prove they belong in the ring. But Pound 4 Pound is more than a sports drama, it’s a tale of resilience, ambition and the relentless pursuit of greatness.

At a time when African-produced series rarely break into global mainstream media beyond streaming platforms, this show marks a significant moment with its debut in the US with the help of BET. 

With International Women’s Day around the corner, Pound 4 Pound serves as a powerful reminder of how women continue to push boundaries and redefine spaces they find themselves in. 

Fighting for More than Glory

The story packs a punch, following the relentless Lindiwe as she fights to carve out a space for women in the world of boxing. After being fired for entering an all-women team into an international competition without the approval of the South African Boxing Federation, she refuses to back down. 

Determined to see her fighters succeed, with the federation or not, she takes on a system filled with sexism, corruption, and racial bias. To strengthen her squad, she recruits disgraced former champion Dingaan “Tiger” Nkosi, a move that stirs even more tension and intrigue.

Lindiwe Mkhwanazi in the series played by Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa

At its core, the series is a bold statement to female empowerment, with Lindiwe battling to make women’s boxing a force to be reckoned with. Her defiance against a male-dominated sport is both inspiring and deeply personal, making her journey all the more compelling. 

Beyond the ring, Pound 4 Pound also explores redemption and resilience. ”Tiger” must confront the demons of his past (an incident that cost him his career and reputation) while navigating his role as a mentor. Can he reclaim his former glory or will his past mistakes overshadow his future?

Tiger played by Mduduzi Mabaso

With high-energy fight scenes, raw emotional struggles, and an unfiltered glimpse of life in Soweto, Johannesburg, the series delivers drama both inside and outside the ring. 

Sabotage, betrayal, and personal battles abound in the series but one question remains: Will Lindiwe and her fighters overcome the odds or will their dreams be knocked out before the final bell? 

Lindiwe trying to recruit her all-female team

Don’t miss Pound 4 Pound! Tune in every Wednesday at 10 PM ET on BET (US) and witness the thrill of every scene.

Fighting scene from the series

Who is the Cast for Pound 4 Pound?

Pound 4 Pound features some of South Africa’s brightest actors and actresses. They include: 

• Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa as Lindiwe Mkhwanazi
• Mduduzi Mabaso as Dingaan “Tiger” Nkosi
• Gabisile Tshabalala as Sindiswa “Genesis” Majola
• Kealeboga Masango as Nokuthula “Noks” Radebe
• Kwanele Mthethwa as Smagele Zulu “DJ Smax”
• Sne Mbatha as Kgomotso Mamabolo
• Nicole Bessick as Crystal Robinson
• Zolisa Xaluva as Jabulani Radebe
• Don Mlangeni Nawa as Jacob Khoza
• Brandon Auret as Frans Walker

Executive produced by Kagiso Modupe and Rashaka Muofhe for Bakwena Productions, the series promises to deliver an exciting mix of drama and action, offering viewers a glimpse into competitive boxing and all that comes with it. 

Kealeboga Masango playing “Noks” in the series