Boxer Basheel to fight in Dubai

Malawi Defence Force boxer Anisha Basheel will fight German Ramon Graeff in Dubai on March 5.

   The fight has been promoted by Legacy 1 Sports Management.The matchmaker is Flavio Oleaga Mirabal and match inspector is Beate Poeske.

Basheel’s manager Clyde Msonda, who is based in Harare, Zimbabwe and runs Delta Force Boxing Academy, broke the news to The Nation yesterday.

He said: “The fight has been confirmed and all paperwork done. We are now writing an official request to the Malawi Defence Force, her employers, so that they can release her. We plan to start camp on February 1, here in Harare.

“The fight is an opportunity for Basheel to shine on the world stage and court more fights. There will be more promoters and match-makers in Dubai plus major global televisions. It’s a good platform to market herself.”

Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board president Lonzoe Zimba has advised Basheel to prepare well for the fight and use the platform to win mega fights.

“Fights such as these are rare. Despite this being a non-title fight but it’s a great opportunity. She will be fighting on the world stage. She must ensure she wins the fight, but for her to do that she must prepare well. When fighting away the only way to guarantee a win is through a TKO,” he said.

In an interview, an excited Basheel said she would utilise the opportunity to secure world title fights.

“I know the significance of this fight and the opportunity that comes with it. I have already started training though I am supposed to start camp on February 1. Though I know the style of my opponent, I have hope that once I get to Zimbabwe I will have an opportunity to watch some videos. I promise not to let Malawi down,” she said.