Kayira, Kayuni rematch ends in draw

Laston Kayira on Sunday failed to revenge defeat against Malani Kayuni in an eight-round non title lightweight bout which ended in a draw at Obrigado Leisure Park in Mzuzu.

The Mzuzu-based Kayira had vowed to revenge the defeat he suffered last year through a unanimous decision.

Kayira dominated the first four-rounds with a flurry of punches, but Kayuni held on to his nerve.

The tide changed from the fifth round when Kayuni raised his tempo and in the end, the judges settled for a draw.

Kayira expressed satisfaction with the outcome, saying: “It was a good bout, I am happy with the outcome considering that I was facing an experienced boxer. He planned to knock me out in the sixth round, but I held on,” said Kayira.

But Kayuni claimed he was robbed of victory, saying he outclassed his opponent in most of the rounds.

“I am not happy with the results. They are not a true reflection of this bout. I dominated in most rounds, but I am surprised that the judges have settled for a draw,” he said.

Kayuni now has a record of 13 wins, seven losses and two draws while Kayira has won three, lost one and drawn two.

In the main supporting bout, Rodgers Kayira beat Hussein Salanje

Promoter of the bouts, Phillip Ngwira of Ken One Boxing Promotions, pledged to continue organising bouts to promote Mzuzu-based boxers.