Death of opponent shocks boxer Chiotcha

Prominent Malawi Defence Force (MDF) boxer Chimwemwe Chiotcha has expressed shock at the death of Tanzanian Thomas Mashali, who was to be his opponent in a Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) middleweight bout in Morogoro, Tanzania on December 26.

Mashali was murdered by thugs at his house in Tanzania on Monday, according to the bout’s match-maker Stephen Mawenzi Msiska.

Chiotcha said about the late Mashali: “Aside from being my opponent, he was a good friend of mine. He used to support and offer me advice whenever I fought in Tanzania. His death has shocked me. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”

Meanwhile, Msiska has assured Chiotcha of a  UBO bout on Boxing Day.

“We are currently in negotiations with another boxer to face Chiotcha this December,” Msiska said.

The imminent international fight will be Chiotcha’s second this year after losing the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) middleweight bout to Namibian Walter Kautondokwa in Windhoek few weeks ago. n