Boxing promoters irk MDF

The Malawi Defence Force (MDF) has said its boxers will fight in bouts only arranged through the Malawi Amateur Boxing Association (Maba).

MDF sports officer John Kaputa said on Wednesday that this follows the unprofessional and substandard manner in which some local promoters have been handling bouts for the army boxers.

“To ensure that there is a legally bound body to complain to when our boxers are ill-treated, we will not allow promoters to arrange fights for our boxers unless they write their requests through Maba,” said Kaputa.

The MDF stand comes at a time some boxing promoters are arranging international bouts for soldiers Osgood Kayuni and Wilson Masamba. Kayuni is expected to challenge the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) oriental super lightweight champion Jay Solmiano in the Philippines on November 30 whereas Masamba will take on Tanzanian Rashid Ally in a non-title fight at Motel Paradise in Blantyre on October 28.

The promoters have justified their direct dealing with MDF, saying they do not know whom to deal with between Maba and the Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB).

“Maba and MPBCB have not come out clearly on whom we should be dealing with when organising bouts. We do not know who is in control between the two bodies,” said Ngumi Boxing Promotions director Steven Msiska.

Maba general secretary Arthur Nanthuru has welcomed MDF’s decision, saying it will help to bring sanity in local boxing.

“It is sad that some promoters stage international fights without involving us yet they obtained their licences through us?” said Nanthuru.