Chiotcha knocks out Mwando, Agnes tumbles

Chimwemwe Chiotcha salvaged some pride for Malawi with a fourth round knockout over Zimbabwean Brian Mwando as Malawi’s top female boxer Agnes Mtimaukanena tumbled.

Mtimaukanena’s six-fight unbeaten run came to a halt on Sunday when she lost to Zimbabwean Fortunate Chiziwo in a split decision of a six-round non-title professional international bout staged at Motel Paradise in Blantyre.

This was Chiotcha’s second consecutive knockout win over the Zimbabwean.

Mwando looked impressive in the opening three rounds, but two left hooks in the fourth round sent him to the canvas twice, forcing referee Andy Muyaya to stop the fight.

“I am down, but not completely out for another challenge. I will avenge this loss,” said Mwando while 24-year-old Chiotcha said he needs time to consider Mwando’s latest challenge

“I now aim at international title fights and there are Tanzanian guys who are arranging that for me. I want to thank the Malawi Defence Force for allowing me to take part in this bout,” said Chiotcha.

Mwando could not speak to reporters, but had earlier said if he lost he would declare Chiotcha a champion.

Weighing 66 kilogrammes, nine more than her opponent, Mtimaukanena looked sharper in the first two rounds, but found it hard in the remaining rounds.

Judges Addison Ng’onga, Thomas Mphasa and Elson Mankhomwa scored 58, 59 and 57 for Mtimaukanena and 59, 53 and 59 for Chiziwo.

While conceding defeat, Mtimaukanena blamed her loss on the organisers for extending the rounds.

“I was surprised to see the rounds being extended to six. This affected my game plan because my preparations were meant to keep me up to the agreed four rounds. But I am protesting the defeat,” said Mtimaukanena.

“It feels bad to lose my first fight, but that is part of the game. I have learnt a lot from this fight as I prepare for my fight in Dubai next month. To me, this was more like a warm-up match,” she said.

Chiziwo, who has extended her unbeaten run six fights, said she prepared well for the bout.

“I consulted a lot on Mtimaukanena’s style of play and planned accordingly,” said Chiziwo.

The organisers of the bouts Super Magic Promotions said they were impressed with the turn out.