Chiotcha, Masamba suffer knockout defeats in SA
Malawi’s prominent professional boxers Limbani ‘Lion’ Masamba and Chimwemwe ‘Chipembere’ Chiotcha at the weekend suffered knockout (KO) defeats at the hands of their South Africa hosts during international non-title bouts.
Masamba went down to Brandon Thysse in the third-round while Chiotcha bowed out in the second-round to intercontinental super welterweight champion Emmany ‘General’ Kalombo.
According to www.sowetanlive.co.za, Masamba was forced into submission following a flurry of punches whereas Chiotcha gave up the fight after he suffered broken ribs.
“Thysse made an impressive debut under [trainer Damien] Durandt by pulverising Limbani Masamba from Malawi into submission in four rounds and Kalombo broke the ribs of Chimwemwe Chiotcha in the first-round before dropping him in the same round and the Malawian gave up in the second round,” reads part of the article..
Masamba’s record has now slumped to 11 defeats (five KOs) and 12 wins while his opponent has upped his tally to 10 wins (nine KOs) and a KO defeat.
Chiotcha has added a fourth KO on his nine losses. He also has 15 wins (11 KOs) and a draw on his card. On the other hand, Kalombo, who is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), has now earned his 11th straight KO victory.
No Pain No Gain Boxing Promotion chief executive officer Craig Rousseau, whose stable facilitated the bouts, refused to comment on the results.
However, Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) president Lonzoe ‘Defector’ Zimba yesterday urged Masamba and Chiotcha not to feel discouraged by the defeats but to work harder in the gym and mend their soiled reputation.
“In boxing anything can happen. For instance, in 2001 retired English boxer Lennox Lewis was knocked out in the fifth round by Hasim Rahman but he managed to avenge the defeat with a fourth-round KO victory. Therefore, Masamba and Chiotcha’s defeats should not wear them down but push them to work extra hard,” he said. n
