Newly crowned welterweight champion Chimwemwe Chiotcha will fight Ghanian Boxer Daniel Sopwah on Feburay 29 in Kampala, Uganda, The Nation has learnt.
The fight has been sponsored by InterSport International Boxing Promotions which has its headquarters in Kampala.
Both Chiotcha and Malawi Boxing Control Board (MBCB) chairperson Lonzoe Zimba confirmed the news.
In a telephone interview from Chipata, Zambia, on Tuesday, Zimba said African Boxing Union (ABU) has arranged the fight.
“In Kampala, Chiotcha will fight in middleweight category against the Ghanaian. He [Chiotcha] is ranked 11th in Africa and if he beats Sopwah, he will be one fight away from the ABU middleweight title,” said Zimba, who is also ABU vice-chairperson.
He said the fight is important for Chiotcha if he wants to be recognised as a serious contender to South African Christopher Buthelezi who is currently holding the middleweight title.
“If he wins in Kampala, he will next fight Ugandan Thomas Aweahono, after which he can fight Buthelezi. My advice to him is that since he is fighting away in another country, he should win the fight through a knockout,” said Zimba.
The Kampala bout will come barely a month after Chiotcha wrested the local welterweight title from Limbani Masamba.
Zimba, however, said the arrangement will not have an effect on the boxer.
“Had he lost through a knockout, then he would have been required to rest for three months. But he won and through a knockout; so, that’s okay as far as boxing rules are concerned,” said Zimba.
Chiotcha was excited at the prospect of the international fight, saying it is something he is looking forward to.
“This is my moment and I will not disappoint. I am in great shape because I came out of that fight [against Masamba] unscathed. Of course, I do not know my opponent like his style of fighting, but two weeks is enough for me to find out,” he said.
