Osgood to fight in the Philippines

Local junior welterweight champion Osgood Kayuni will on November 30 have his first international title bout in Manila, Philippines.

He will challenge Philippine Jay Solmiano for a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Oriental Super Lightweight Belt.

According to World Boxing Forum (WBF) commissioner, Emmanuel Mlundwa, the title fight was initially meant for a Tanzanian, but they have given the offer to Kayuni considering his outstanding record of 20 wins (7 KOs) in 21 professional fights.

Solmiano has a record of 14 wins (10 KOs), two losses and a draw.

In an e-mail request to Kayuni and the Malawi Professional Boxing Committee, through Ngumi Boxing Promotions manager Steve Msiska, Mlundwa said Kayuni should immediately start preparing for the bout.

“This is an official offer of fight for Osgood Kayuni as challenger in the WBO Oriental Super Lightweight title match in Manila, Philippines on November 30,” wrote Mlundwa in the message of October 5 2012.

“Since this bout was initially for a Tanzanian boxer, Kayuni will fly to the Philippines from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania and will be accompanied by my (Mlundwa’s) person. I humbly ask that he is given time to start training as immediately as possible because his win will be an honour to Malawi and Africa.”

Meanwhile, Kayuni, who has just completed Malawi Defence Force (MDF) training, welcomed the development and is confident that the MDF will allow him to go and fight.

“Before taking on the Philippine, I am supposed to have a preparatory match. I would have loved if I faced the unrepentant Tanzanian Allan Kamote who talked too much after beating Wellington Balakasi during their WBF lightweight title match two weeks ago,” said Kayuni.

A few months before joining the MDF, Kayuni, who is now based at Kamuzu Barracks in Lilongwe, beat Kamote on points in a non-title rematch. He also earned a second Technical Knockout (TKO) victory against Zimbabwean Takudzwa Kuchocha.

Although Power House Boxing Promotions trainer, Olusegun Kapanga, insists that Kayuni will fight under their stable, it remains unclear whether MDF will allow that arrangement.