The Pugilistic Syndicate of Tanzania [PST] light-heavyweight fight between Rasco Simwanza and Tanzanian Japhet Kaseba in Dar es Salaam last Saturday has caused a controversy on the local boxing arena.
The Moyale Barracks soldier lost the fight in the fourth round, but the Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) has questioned his eligibility to engage in a title bout after fighting only once in professional ranks.
According to MPBCB president Lonzoe Zimba, Simwanza fought his first professional bout about two years ago when he lost to middleweight champion Alick Mwenda.
His employers have also threatened not to release their boxers to Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) in future for getting their pugilist into a title bout when he was not fully prepared. MDF only releases their boxers for bouts organised by Maba.
Zimba told Nation on Sunday yesterday that Simwanza was not qualified for a title bout because rules stipulate that one has to fight at least five eight-round non-title professional matches before being cleared for a 12-round title bout.
He added that “local boxers should not trust the WBF as it is not a well recognised body to sanction international fights.”
However, in an e-mail response, World Boxing Federation (WBF) coordinator Emanuel Mlundwa, who is based in Tanzania, said there was nothing wrong with the Malawian boxer getting into a title fight with only one match on his record. He said as long as the boxers agreed, the title fight had to take place.
Nevertheless, MDF sports director John Kaputa said on Saturday that they would stop releasing their boxers for fights if Maba continues to engage their pugilists in bouts without first giving them ample time for preparations.
He said Simwanza stayed for a long time without a fight as he recently returned from Ivory Coast for a peace-keeping mission and he needed more time to prepare for a fight.
Simwanza and Maba vice-president Henry Sakala did not pick up their phones when Nation on Sundaywanted their comments on the matter.
Maba general secretary Arthur Nanthuru said Sakala was better-placed to comment.
