Malawian boxers lose to Tanzanians
Light-heavyweight boxer Limbani Lano and welterweight Wilson Masamba lost non-title bouts to Tanzanian opponents on New Year’s Day.
Tanzanian boxing stable Mafia Boxing Promotion organised the bouts held at Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga in that country.
However, the going got tough for the Malawian boxers as Lano lost to Abdallah Paziwapazi in a unanimous points decision while Masamba who faced Tanzanian Richard Mtagi retired in thefifth round.
Their defeat comes barely two weeks after compatriot Israel Kam’mwamba lost the African Boxing Union title to Zimbabwean Aliya Phiri in Harare.
In an interview, Lano cried foul, saying the judges favoured their homeboy.
“I dominated the bout. On several occasions my opponent fell down. However, considering that I was fighting away from home, the judges gave the win to the host boxer,” he said.
However, Lano said the fight has given him a platform to prepare for a title bout in New York this April.
On the other hand, Masamba said he fought an overweight opponent.
“I am 64 kilogrammes yet I fought someone 69 kilogrammes. That gave him the advantage. Next time, it is important that promoters should stick to weight category communicated to them,” he said.
Commenting on the results, New Dawn Boxing Promotion managing director Mike Chimaliza said Masamba has passed his prime while Lano needs to prove his prowess domestically.
He said: “Lano needs to prove here at home that he is a good boxer in his category, light heavyweight. Only if he does that then he can start looking for international opportunities.
“Unfortunately, he has not proved that he is a better boxer against other lightweights Mussa Ajibu and Alick Gogodo. So let him win local fights before international fights.”
On his part, retired boxer Philemon Nkhakamila Banda said boxers rush for international fights for the sake of getting money.
“The problem is that they are after money. They don’t take preparations seriously. Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board should look into that before clearing boxers for international bouts because losing in such way is an embarrassment to the nation,” he said.
MPBCB vice-general secretary Gibson Chisale said for boxers to be cleared they will have to meet set standards.
“We will not issue clearance anyhow starting from now. Those going for international bouts will be assessed based on performance. Otherwise, the results we are getting from our boxers are pathetic,” he said.
