MDF yet to release Basheel for Dubai fight
Malawi Defence Force (MDF) is yet to release celebrated boxer Anisha Basheel for her non-title lightweight fight against German Ramona Graeff scheduled for March 5 in Dubai.
The delay has put her preparations in jeopardy with matchmakers expressing their concerns with the situation.
The fight has been organised by Dubai-based Legacy Boxing Promotions.
Basheel is also supposed to travel later to the Democratic Republic of Congo to face Naomi Yumba Therese for the Women International Boxing Association (WIBA) lightweight title.
In an interview on Thursday, MDF acting spokesperson Major Emmanuel Mlelemba said there are procedures that must be followed.
“When releasing a boxer there are some procedures that must be followed. I won’t go into details now. But we have received communication on these fights and once the decision is made, we will communicate,” he said.
Zimbabwe-based matchmaker Clyde Msonda, who manages Basheel, said in an interview that MDF are proving to be a stumbling block to her boxing career.
He said: “We wrote MDF requesting the release of Basheel for the Dubai fight, but they are yet to respond.
“We wanted her to camp here in Zimbabwe, but they have not been cooperative on this. As such, we are planning to cancel the other two fights and replace Basheel with another boxer,” said Msonda who runs Delta Force Boxing Academy.
But Mlelemba insisted that it is not true that MDF is unwilling to release the boxer, saying procedures must be followed.
Msonda moulded and helped Basheel win the Commonwealth lightweight belt after defeating British Sam ‘SJ’ Smith in London in 2018.
He also helped her to win the African Boxing Union (ABU) female super featherweight title in 2017.
“It is unfortunate MDF is standing in her way. It will affect her boxing future,” said Msonda.
He said lack of proper preparations will affect the boxer’s performance in Dubai.
“She was supposed to be in Harare by February 1 for preparations. But there is nothing I can do, I will just assign someone there in Malawi to take over because we have signed a fighting contract so the fight must go ahead,” Msonda said.
In an interview Basheel said her superiors are handling the matter and she is not supposed to comment on the issue.
She said: “I can’t say much on the communications between my manager and my employers. I am not allowed to.
“But I will not be camping in Zimbabwe. I am training at Kamuzu Barracks gym. I have engaged the expertise of two local trainers Leonard Metazama and Yusuf Christopher.”
Since making her debut in 2015, Basheel has won nine fights and lost seven.
