Osgood ‘The Punisher’ Kayuni earned a successive technical knockout against Zimbabwean Takudzwa Kuchocha in the second round of their eight-round non-title rematch on Saturday at Robin’s Park in Blantyre.
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Last November, the Zimbabwean lost because of a dislocated shoulder in the fourth round at Motel Paradise. On Saturday, Kuchocha jerked in pain with the same shoulder problem following some rapid exchange of punches with Kayuni before he told referee Jerome Waluza that he could not continue the fight.
“When I came for the second round, I felt pain in my right shoulder. My mind told me to continue fighting, but the pain was just too much,†Kuchocha said after the fight.
However, amid jeers from frustrated fans, who felt Kuchocha gave Kayuni a ‘bogus’ fight, the Zimbabwean’s trainer Issa Phiri could not hide his suspicion that the 27-year-old Malawian used juju to win the bout.
“I wonder why Kuchocha’s shoulder pulls out only when he comes to fight Kayuni here. This does not happen when he takes on other boxers in South Africa, Tanzania and here in Malawi. Our physician said he was fit for a fight, but see what happened here.
“I am shocked and confused that Kuchocha’s shoulder disjoints without even being hit by a punch. I suspect Kayuni uses juju when he fights Kuchocha,†said Phiri.
Phiri, however, suggested his boxer, who has three losses, two draws and 15 wins, would challenge Kayuni again, but the fight should be held in Zimbabwe where he feels Kayuni’s ‘charm’ would hit a blank.
Nevertheless, the new Malawi Defence Force (MDF) recruit, who has three international victories in three months, said he never used juju, but he has ruthless punches that confuse his opponents.
“I have never used juju in my boxing career. The fact is that I was well prepared for this bout. If I look suspicious to them, then, let them bring another boxer for me and see what will happen,†said Kayuni after taking his record to 18 wins, two draws and a loss.
Malawi Professional Boxing Board president Lonzoe Zimba trashed Phiri’s juju claims, saying Kuchocha was just not fit for the high-profile bout.
“Anywhere in the world, a boxer identifies and capitalises on weaknesses of his opponents. I think Kuchocha was just not up for the occasion. He needs to be appropriately checked by his doctors before continuing boxing,†said Zimba.
Despite that, it was a glorious night for other local boxers in the supporting bouts. Wilson Masamba and Chrispin Moliati also soothed their recruitment into the MDF with international victories against Zimbabwean Richard Muriri and Tanzanian Obote Ameme, respectively. Osgood’s younger brother, Malani, beat fellow Malawian pugilist Marshal Ali.
While thanking MDF’s general commander Henry Odillo for releasing the recruits to fulfil the international bouts, Super Smile Media’s Saulosi Thindwa, whose body promoted the fight alongside co-sponsors Universal Industries’ Chocco Bar and Morrison Electricals and General Dealers, said they would write a report on what happened during the Kayuni versus Kuchocha rematch.
