Heads roll over boxing judges’ scoring
Scoring a draw in an amateur title fight before revisiting the decision shows how ignorant some Malawi boxing judges on boxing rules, the Malawi National Council of Sports observed on Sunday.
The remark was made by regional sports development officer for the South Griffin Saenda who was guest of honour at the closing of the two-day national Presidential Amateur Boxing Tournament at Obligado Leisure Centre in Mzuzu.
Saenda said he was concerned that while boxing rules for amateur clearly stipulate that there shall be no draw-result where two pugilists fight for honours, some judges continued scoring a barren draw in the title fight between the Northern Region female boxing champion Ruth Nyirenda and the Central Region’s Pauline Khembo.
The judges’ decision was revisited to crown the capital city-based Khembo as champion in a mini-flyweight category.
Gertrude Sajale, Stanley Banda and a Mr Mphasa made the panel of judges which was headed by Kasimu Makwinja. The fight was officiated by Kettie Njala. Nyirenda weighs 43 kilogrammes while Khembo weighs 60 kilogrammes.
“When judges are booed in front of the boxers it means something is wrong,” said Saenda.
He called on the Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) to quickly organise a refresher course to arrest the situation.
Maba president Ladda Chimbalanga said his association will meet to try and provide solutions to problems being faced.
Meanwhile, Malawi Professional Boxing Council president Lonzoe Zimba blamed the error on Chimbalanga, whom he accused of not calling for meetings for affiliates and the board to address matters affecting the sport in the country.
