Malawi boxer knocked out in second round, faints

Thousands of boxing fans including Youth Development and Sports Minister Grace Chiumia on Sunday endured an embarrassing afternoon when local boxer Robert Kachiza was knocked out in the second round of their 12-round non-title bout by Zimbabwean Tinashe Mwadziwana at Lilongwe Community Centre Ground.

Kachiza could not stand the heat after a flurry of blows from the Zimbabwean pugilist and fainted in the ring.

The featherweight bout failed to live up to its billing with Kachiza displaying substandard boxing tactics and could not stand the test of a more sophisticated Mwadziwana.

At the start of the first- round, Kachiza let his guard open most times and his face was exposed to hard blows as the Zimbabwean found easy target.

A combination of straight jabs midway in the first-round proved too much for the Malawian boxer who fell to the canvas. However, he survived the count and managed to get back on his feet.

Kachiza went on the offence giving hope that he might just be the man, but weak punches and lack of target meant he just wasted energy.

Come the second- round, the Zimbabwean went on rampage throwing hooks at high frequency knocking his opponent down. Kachiza consequently fainted and his corner men had to rush into the ring to offer him first-aid treatment.

“He was no match for me. I feel sorry for him. I don’t think he was fit to be in that ring,” said Mwadziwana.

A dazed Kachiza could not give a coherent interview.

In an earlier fight, Malawian female boxer Anisha Bashir lived up to her pre-fight talk and carried the day after outclassing American Jessica Zuzik

After the fight, the minister admitted it was an embarrassment to the nation.

“It was bad seeing him (Kachiza) go down that way. It was obvious the Zimbabwean boxer was too good and slick. But we take solace in the fact that at least our female boxer did us proud by defeating the American,” said Chiumia, who confessed it was her first time to watch boxing.

On her part, Bashir expressed delight at carrying the day.

“I was in total control of the fight and felt really great to have won,” said Bashir.