Chiotcha to face top SA boxer
Fearless boxer Chimwemwe Chiotcha will face experienced South African Phillip Ndou who squared up against revered American pugilist Floyd Mayweather Junior.
Confirming the eight-round junior middleweight non-title bout in an interview yesterday, Chiotcha’s manager, Steve Mawenzi Msiska, said it will be staged in Limpopo, South Africa.
He said the former national welterweight champion got his contract last week ahead of the fight on July 29.
“It is a done deal because all the paperwork has been finalised. We are honoured to secure this high-profile fight as you know Ndou is not just an ordinary boxer,” said Msiska.
He said the contract indicates that Chiotcha will get R15 000 (about K750 000) as his appearance fee.
“That is a significant amount, but we will bring on some sponsors to support his preparations. We will make an announcement soon,” he said.
Chiotcha, a Malawi Defence Force (MDF) soldier, has been inactive for over a year as he was away in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on a peace-keeping mission. He returned home a month ago.
He said that his stay abroad has made him a better boxer.
“While in DRC, I was practising boxing with soldiers from different countries. I learnt a lot of techniques. So, I am more than ready to face Phillip,” said Chiotcha.
He also believes that the fight will give him exposure.
“It is an opportunity that can help me to open doors for more international bouts,” said Chiotcha.
Ndou, 39, is known for his hard knocking style. However, he has never won a world title despite fighting a couple of boxers, including Mayweather Junior who beat him in 2003.
Meanwhile, Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) president Lonzoe Zimba acknowledged receiving documentation regarding the bout, but feared that Chiotcha’s inactivity could make it tough for him to defeat Ndou.
“Chimwemwe has been inactive for a long time. What we could have loved is for Chiotcha to be involved in at least one fight before facing Ndou who is a top boxer with a brilliant record,” he said. “But if he thinks time is not on his side and he feels ready to face Ndou then we don’t have much say.”
