National Sports

Maba courts MPBCB’s wrath

 

Malawi Amateur Boxing Association (Maba) has courted the wrath of Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board’s (MPBCB) for organising a professional bout between Philemon Nkhakamila Banda and Perpetual Mkandawire.

Contrary to MPBCB rules, Maba Northern Region chapter has included the fight between the two veterans on January 30 at Obrigado Leisure Park in Mzuzu at a tournament aimed at identifying Malawi representatives at an international tournament in Botswana in March.

Angered by  Maba: Zimba
Angered by
Maba: Zimba

The two boxers alongside Jobson Adams, John Masamba and Andy Muyaya crossed over to amateur after undergoing a level three Aiba sponsored coaching course facilitated by South Africa Boxing Association (Sanabo) president Andile Mofu in Lilongwe.

MPBCB rules and regulations do not allow boxers that have crossed over to amateur to fight as professionals.

MPBCB president Lonzoe Zimba said there was no way the two boxers would fight as professionals at the tournament.

Back from retirement: Mkandawire
Back from retirement: Mkandawire

“There is no way the two boxers can fight in a professional bout. The only way they can fight as professionals is if they denounce their affiliation to Maba and write us for permission.

“They would have to apply for a professional licence and after fulfilling all the conditions, then they can fight as professionals,” Zimba said.

Zimba, however, said the two boxers can only fight as amateurs.

Maba Northern chapter chairperson Stewart Moyo said they included the professional bout after Mkandawire asked to be considered.

“Mkandawire asked for consideration in the boxing bonanza. He challenged Nkhakamila Banda. We approached Nkhakamila and he has accepted,” he said.

When contacted, Mkandawire confirmed that he is back in the ring as a professional.

“I am back in the ring, I have seen that our current boxers are failing to display the standard and recommended boxing moves that can excite spectators. I want to display that while teaching them how we fight for the time I will be in the ring again,” he said.

He said after Nkhakamila, he will go for youthful boxers such as Ernest Msoliza or Limbani Masamba.

“I will start with Nkhakamila then go for teaching mission to the youthful boxers like Msoliza or Masamba,” said Mkandawire.

But his opponent, Banda said he was eyeing for retirement from active boxing saying the January 30 bonanza bout against Mkandawire will be his farewell fight.

“I am retiring from active boxing. I will concentrate on coaching upcoming boxers. The bout against Mkandawire on January 30 in Mzuzu will be my last one,” he said. n

Related Articles

Back to top button