‘Matchmakers spoiling Malawi boxers’
Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) has blamed local boxers’ unimpressive performance in international bouts on lack of qualified matchmakers.
MPBCB spokesperson Frank Chibisa made the statement after noting that Malawian boxers lost 15 out of 20 international bouts, mostly through knockouts.
“Most of the matchmakers in the country are unqualified and unlicensed. As a result, they end up brokering mismatched bouts for our boxers,” he said.
are of equal strength
Chibisa said the international bouts losses spoil future prospects of negotiating for lucrative bouts because boxers that have poor record stop attracting foreign promoters.
“Boxing bouts are unlike football matches. You can choose to avoid certain opponents you feel can spoil your record. Boxers should not their careers soiled at the expense of fast cash,” Chibisa said, adding that they would soon hold a workshop for matchmakers, boxers and managers.
One of the unlicensed matchmakers Stephen Mawenzi Msiska said the boxers’ poor performance is due to poor preparations.
“So far, I have organised over 10 title bouts for Malawian boxers and all finished their rounds. Can you call that a mismatch?
“The truth of the matter is that most local boxers fight without proper preparations. They go to fight for the sake of money.
“They are trapped in a racket of improving records for foreign boxers,” he said. n
