Boxers Masamba, Saidi ready to rumble

Boxing fever has gripped the boxing fraternity in Blantyre with title-holder Limbani ‘Lion’ Masamba and challenger Dickson ‘The Beast’ Saidi ready to battle in a 12-round national super welterweight bout tonight at College of Medicine (CoM) Sports Complex.

After a weigh-in session at the Complex yesterday, the boxers engaged in a fierce verbal tirade, promising an explosive and exciting fight in this Knockout Cancer bout.

“I feel sorry for Saidi for accepting to fight against me in my home town. He has taken a risk that he will regret. I will hit him so that he should not dare to challenge me again,” said 28-year-old Masamba, whose record stands at 20 wins (eight knockouts) and five losses.

The Chilomoni Township-based boxer, who won the belt in 2016 after defeating Kudakwache Banda, said Saidi would do well to surrender before the fight to avoid embarrassment in front of boxing fans.

However, Lilongwe-based Saidi, 25, who has so far won five bouts (three knockouts), two draws and two losses said he is ready to silence Masamba with punches that will make him kiss the canvas.

“Masamba is a good boxer but the problem is that he talks too much. By the way, he has kept the belt for too long and it is time he surrenders it to me before the bout,” he said.

In other fights tonight, Tinkhani ‘Time Bomb’ Kamanga will take on Yamikani ‘Crazy Yakuza’ Mkandawire in an eight-round super featherweight bout while female boxers Zione ‘Black Cougar’ Magulula and Duduzile ‘Dynamite’ Kankwamba will tussle in a super bantamweight clash. Limbani ‘Warrior’ Powder and Chikondi ‘Boltcutter’ Makawa will face-off in an eight-round super welterweight main supporting bout.

Sports Complex sales and marketing manager Jimmy said Kulemeka, they organised the bouts with No Pain No Gain Boxing Promotions to entertain boxing-starved fans in the commercial city and raise awareness against cancer.

No Pain No Gain chief executive officer Craig Rousseau said the bouts would see the corporate tables for 10 people going at K300 000 each, a table seat at K35 000, VIP seat at K20 000 and normal seat K10 000. Students will pay K5 000.

The event has been officially sponsored by Kwese Television, Bowler Beverages through their Aqua Pure Water brand, Visions Gaming, Nyasa Manufacturing Company, Kips Restaurant and Chris Offset Printers.

Hope for Cancer Foundation, Rab Processors Limited, Old Mutual and Biz Malawi have also partnered the initiative.