Malawi Defence Force (MDF) boxer Alick Mwenda received the judges’ nod as winner of an eight-round non-title middleweight bout against Zimbabwean Brian Mwando at Mkango Lodge in the commercial city of Blantyre on Sunday.
But most fans felt the Zimbabwean was robbed of victory.
Judges Daudi Chikwanje and Bester Saopa scored Mwenda 78-77 and 77-74 respectively while Thom Mphasa scored the 24-year-old Zimbabwean 78-77.
Immediately after the 27-year-old Kamuzu Barracks soldier was declared the winner on points, almost three-quarters of the fans in the hall could not wait to disapprove the results. They started chanting: Majaji abela! Majaji abela! [The judges have doctored the results!]
However, Chikwanje said the results were a true reflection of the fight as Mwenda was landing clear punches whereas Mwando was fond of throwing wild jabs. The Zimbabwean was cheered by his wife, fellow boxer Agnes Mtimaukanena.
One of the fans, Chanson Ndalama, said: “If we keep on doctoring results like this, then we should never expect boxing standards to improve in the country. Seriously, our judges are killing this exciting sport.”
Ndalama seemed to agree with Mwando’s trainer, Andy Muyaya, who suggested that local judges needed a refresher course on handling bouts.
“It seems some of these judges are still reading outdated books that suggest a boxer cannot lose on points in his homeland. They need a refresher course. Of course, I would say Mwenda did well in the first three rounds, but after that, it was clear Mwando dominated,” said the America-trained boxing coach.
But Chikwanje, who is general secretary of the Malawi Professional Boxing Control (MPBC), rubbished the claims, saying the fans and Muyaya could not see the difference between street fighting and genuine boxing.
“When one does not know boxing rules, they believe every single punch is counted regardless of its power and the part of the body it falls on. Mwenda deserved victory because most of his punches hit the target,” he said.
The fight started at exactly at 4.45pm.
Mwando released a powerful right jab that scraped Mwenda’s face to let his glove fall off. Nevertheless, Mwenda appeared to get the better of the fight until a stinging right hook floored him at the end of the third round.
After being cautioned several times by referee Mbachichi Nyirenda for hitting Mwenda on the back of the neck, Mwando sprayed so many punches on his opponent, who seemed out of sorts by the end of the final round.
Mchinji Boys Boxing Promotions director Justice Katika said he is ready to arrange a rematch if the loser is not satisfied with the results. Katika organised the bout with support from Countrywide Car Hire, Stevenson Advertising, Everest Trucking and Abro Mwangala.
