NONI Tenge has been stripped of her world boxing title.

The 32-year-old from the Eastern Cape became South Africa's first female world champion when she won the International Boxing Federation welterweight title in June last year. But she has lost it without a fight.

The federation has ruled that Tenge did not defend her title and so the organisation has decided to take it away.

Tenge had been ordered by the federation to make a mandatory defence against American Molly McConnell, 39, on or before March 11.

Tenge said she was "not ready to talk" about losing the title.

"I still have to consult other people," she said.

Branco Milenkovic, who promoted Tenge's title-winning fight, said he had warned her she could be stripped.

"I am saddened by it," he said.