Malawian boxer replaces Zimbabwean in ABU bill
Zimbabwean boxer Anyway Katunga has been struck off the Africa Boxing Union (ABU) May 14 tournament on disciplinary grounds.
He has since been replaced by Malawian Emmanuel Chimanja.
This means Chimanja will face Zambia-based Alfred Muwowo in a flyweight non-title fight.
A member of the organising commitee in Malawi, No Pain No Gain managing director Craig Rousseau confirmed the development.
“We have been monitoring all the boxers billed to fight during the ABU tournament and we discovered that Katunga has not been reporting for training at Delta Force Academy,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rousseau said Chimanja, undefeated in six fights, left for Zimbabwe to join other Malawian boxers Limbani Masamba and Anisha Bashir. They all belong to No Pain No Gain stable.
“There are about three weeks remaining before the fight, so we believe he will be fit.”
During the tournament to be held in Lilongwe at Bingu International Conference Centre (Bicc), Masamba will face Congolese Mbiya Nkaku in the main bout—a 12-round ABU welterweight title-fight.
Bashir will fight Agnes Mtimaukanena in a national welterweight title bout.
Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board president Lonzoe Zimba said they have approved the change because Chimanja has proved to be a good boxer.
“When we were asked to approve Chimanja’s name, we looked at his record. He is undefeated so we thought it wise to give him a chance to be on the ABU bill,” he said.
The ABU fight at Bingu International Conference Centre in Lilongwe will be part of the continental body’s summit which is expected to attract delegates from around 20 countries. n
