Bashir, manager part ways

Malawi’s top female boxer Anisha ‘The Massacre’ Bashir and her manager Craig Rousseau of No Pain No Gain Boxing Promotion have gone separate ways, ending their four-year working relationship.

Both parties confirmed yesterday that they have mutually agreed to part ways.

The development comes barely a few days after Bashir lost the World Boxing Council (WBC) final eliminator bout against undefeated Scottish boxer Chantelle Cameron on unanimous points’ decision in the United Kingdom to miss a chance of facing unified world champion Katie Taylor.

Rousseau said his boxing stable has also closed shop as he wants to concentrate on his other personal business.

“I would like to announce that from today [yesterday], Bashir is no longer a boxer of No Pain No Gain. Basically, my stable has closed to concentrate on other personal matters of interest and I have stepped aside a bit from professional boxing,” he said.

Rousseau said he felt he has done his best in the last four years to single-handedly groom Bashir and broker three big fights for her.

“I got her the ABU [Africa Boxing Union] and the Commonwealth International British Empire titles, which she won. Recently, I got her the WBC Silver final eliminator to the unification of four titles, which she unfortunately lost,” he said.

“We have left each other on a good note; no bad blood. I have also helped some other boxers and I just want to give chance to others to continue from where I have left.”  

On her part, Bashir said she respects Rousseau’s decision and hopes to get another manager who will be committed to taking her boxing career to greater heights.

“I thank him for helping me get this far in my career. However, we have not been in good terms recently and I believe this break-up is of mutual benefit. Currently, I am looking for a new manager,” she said.

The 23-year-old, however, said Zimbabwean Clyde Musonda, who was Rousseau’s partner, remains her trainer.

The boxer has a record of eight knockout wins and six defeats.