Kayuni outsmarts Chazama

Osgood ‘The Punisher’ Kayuni earned a split-decision victory over fellow Malawi Defence Force (MDF) boxer Salimu Chazama in a closely-contest non-title bout at Lilongwe Community Centre ground on Saturday.

Two of the three judges scored 78-77 and 77-76 for Kayuni while the other gave the bout to Chazama with 78-76.

For sure, had it not been for the judges’ intricate calculation of the scores, the junior welterweight bout could have been declared a draw by the fans that patronised the event considering the balance in obvious statistics.

The first two rounds of the eight-round fight were too close to call, but 27-year-old Kayuni dominated in the following three rounds. Chazama, 22, came with renewed vigour in the last three rounds where he also managed to cause a cut above Kayuni’s right eye. Moreover, each of them got knocked down once.

“Kayuni used vast experience to his advantage as he ducked most of Chazama’s powerful punches. However, Chazama has proven his prowess and ability to succeed the ageing boxer,” analysed Mike Chimaliza, whose stable New Dawn Boxing Promotions organised the bout.

Kayuni, who has improved his record to 23 wins, three draws and five losses, said although many patrons thought it was a close fight, he knew right from the start the glory belonged to him due to his boxing scoring knowledge.

“Many fans and Chazama thought it was a close fight, but what they did know was that the one who scored more points takes the glory. Chazama does not know how to score points and he needs to learn this as soon as possible,” Kayuni said.

Chazama, whose record now indicates three losses, a draw and 19 victories, said he could not believe it when he heard that he had lost.

“Everybody knows that I won that bout but somehow the judges mixed up the results. I felt like I was dreaming to learn that my opponent, who required urgent medical attention after the fight, was declared the winner. All the same, life must go on,” Chazama said. n