A wave of pride is set to move across the country tonight as six Malawian boxers get into the ring for international fights in three different countries.
As South Africa-based heavyweight pugilist Isaac Chilemba oozes with confidence to outclass Eleider ‘Storm’ Alvarez in a mandatory World Boxing Council (WBC) fight at the Centre Videotron in Quebec City, Canada, Limbani Masamba and Felix Mwanaso itch to make the country proud in Namibia while Charles ‘Babyface’ Misanjo, Aubrey ‘Lightning’ Masamba and Anisha ‘Massacre’ Bashir aim for knockout victories in Lusaka, Zambia.
For Chilemba, who is the country’s most prominent boxer with an incredible record of 24 wins (10 knockouts), two draws and two losses, a win tonight will give him a lifeline to challenge Adonis ‘Superman’ Stevenson for the WBC light heavyweight World title next year.
On the other hand, the other five local boxers, whose international non-title bouts in Namibia and Zambia have been necessitated by No Pain No Gain Boxing Promotions in collaboration with Zimbabwe’s Delta Force Academy, are geared to eke their first victories in the foreign land.
“This will be a memorable night for Malawi boxing. I am very optmistic that all our ambassadors will emerge victorious tonight,” said No Pain No Gain Boxing Promotions chief executive officer Craig Rousseau.
Bashir’s fight against experienced Zambian Lorita Muzeya will not only initiate her into the professional boxing ranks but will also help her compatriot Agnes Mtimaukanena-Mwando to have a clue on how to dismantle the Zambian during their WBC title bout sometime in 2016.
In other fights in Zambia, Misanjo, Aubrey Masamba and No Pain No Gain’s new Zimbabwe signing Kudakwashe Chendawire are expected to take on Alfred Muwowo, Congolese-born Mbiya Kanku and Barbra Banda, respectively.
In Namibia, national middleweight champion Mwamaso will face Kriat Kamanya whereas Limbani Masamba will be up against Alfeus Shilongo. n
