Boxer Kamanga qualifies for Presidential finals

Northern Region junior middle weight amateur boxing champion Mwawi Kamanga on Saturday beat his challenger Zacharia Moyo on points at Obligado Leisure Centre in Mzuzu to book a place in the national finals of the Presidential Cup.

Kamanga, weighing 69 kilogrammes, landed strong jabs at his opponent, who weighs 63 kilogrammes, but failed to record a knockout till the judges separated them by splitting the points.

“My opponent’s guard was vulnerable so I did not want to punish him; hence, the points split decision,” said Kamanga.

But Moyo blamed the loss on the committee for involving him in a catchweight fight, saying had the two weighed the same, he would have won.

In other fights, Walex Kaunda, Innocent Juma, Laston Kaira and Patrick Kaira also qualified for the national finals after beating Job Chimombo, Emanuel Chirwa, Chikumbutso Chirwa and Alinafe Kasimu respectively.

Chairperson of the Northern Region Boxing Committee Stewart Moyo said the fights were organised to select the region’s representatives sat the national finals to be hosted by Mzuzu next month.

The regional select fight was officiated by Stanley Banda.