Malawi ready for night of belts
Ngumi Boxing Promotions says all is set for Malawi to hold a night of title fights on Friday at Robin’s Park in Blantyre, the commercial city, where two international belts and a local one are up for grabs.
According to the stable’s manager Steven Msiska, all the boxers have signed contracts and the two foreigners, Tanzania Allan Kamote and Ugandan Shabila Namaaga, are expected in the country this Wednesday.
Kamote will face Wellington Balakasi in a 10-round World Boxing Forum (WBF) continental lightweight title in the night’s main bout whereas Namaaga is challenging Agnes Mtimaukanena for the WBF title. The women’s fight will also see the winner taking the Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) lightweight belt.
Limbani Masamba will square up with Charles Misanjo for the national welterweight title.
“We have finalised the preparations in terms of agreements with the boxers and other stakeholders. We are now finalising sponsorship deals with a number of companies that have pledged support for the night and we will announce them on Thursday,†said Msiska.
He also said they have included two non-title fights to curtain-raise the title fights.
Prodigal son Leonard Kadise, who has been plying his trade in South Africa in the past decade, is back home and will fight Brightson Mdoka in the second bout of the night.
“The first bout will be between Tar Baby Bazuka Maseko and Chikoya Mphande. I believe fans will have a memorable night of three title fights and two non-titles. We urge them to come in large numbers. The charges are also reasonable, K1 000 [$3.3] single and K1 500 [$5] couples,†said Msiska.
Masamba’s manager Charles Nkhoma of Namisonga Boxing Promotions, who last week accused Msiska of failing to honour his contractual obligations, said on Tuesday they have ironed out the gray areas.
“We have met Msiska and he has paid the training allowances. Our boxer is now focused on the fight and we are eager to get that title from Misanjo,†said Nkhoma.
Mchinji-based Misanjo has been in Blantyre for two weeks now in preparation for the match and says he is set to defend the title.
“This title belongs to Mchinji. I have just come to renew my licence of keeping it,†he said.
Mtimaukanena also said she is ready for the challenge as she sets to prove critics wrong after her win in May against Kenyan Susan Adenso was diluted with talks that her opponent was not qualified.
“I have been in camp for a month now and I feel geared for the fight. I want to show the country that I am a good boxer by making sure the belt remains in the country,†said Mtimaukanena who is rated 22 in the world.
