National Sports

K4m bill haunts Chiotcha’s UBO fight

 

Hard-knocker Chimwemwe Chiotcha’s Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) intercontinental middleweight fight against Indian Sunir Khokhartitle hangs in limbo as the boxer is yet to secure a sponsor to foot a US$4 500 (around K4 million) bill.

The fight, according to a pre-contract which Chiotcha signed in Kosovo where he faced Timy Shala in a non-title super middleweight bout in July, is expected to be staged in Lilongwe next month.

Chiotcha (R) in his last fight against Kosovo boxer Timy Shala

According to a letter UBO has penned Chiotcha’s unofficial sponsor Super Sakuwa Steel Limited, whose copy The Nation has it, among others breaks the bill into sanctioning fee and payment for the opponent’s air ticket.

“Proposed opponent is Sunir Khokhar of India who must come to Malawi with a trainer (and you are supposed to provide) each with return air ticket from Delhi to Lilongwe at about $1 300 (about K1 million),” the letter dated 25 July 2017 partly reads.

UBO also asks the promoter to secure $1 500 (K1.2 million) for the opponent as his fight fee and a similar amount as the bout’s sanctioning fee. There is also a request for the promoter to purchase a return air ticket for a supervisor from Tanzania and his allowance of $200 (K150 000).

In an interview, Chiotcha said Super Sakuwa has told him they will not be able to commit funds towards the fight.

“I travelled to Kosovo because of the support from Sakuwa, that is why I listed the company as my promoter. However, its management has decided not to bankroll me. So, I am looking for sponsors,” he said.

Chiotcha added that he will be devastated if he misses out on a chance to contest in the fight.

“International title fights are rare and given an opportunity to fight on home soil is a bonus. I will honestly be frustrated if the fight doesn’t happen,” he said.

Super Sakuwa sales executive Enock Chithonje said they have not completely ruled out supporting him in preparation for the fight.

“The bout is something that we initially, said we will not be able to support. However, the proposal hasn’t been completely rejected. The proposal is still on our desk and our top management may still decide to change the earlier stand,” he said.

Chithonje, however, added that even if they do not bankroll the UBO fight they still have other projects with the boxer which he said are still in pipeline.

Chiotcha and Super Sakuwa formed a partnership in June and funded his trip to Kosovo in addition to providing him with fighting gear, accommodation and food during his camping.

The two are yet to sign a formal contract. n

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