Masamba dents Kudakwache’s record

Limbani ‘The Lion’ Masamba on Sunday dented Lilongwe-based boxer Kudakwache Nkhakamira Banda’s clean record after knocking him out in the last of their eight-round bout at M1 Centre Point in Lilongwe.

Kudakwache had entered the ring unconquered, boasting of 12 straight wins. Eight of those wins were through knockouts. The fight was sponsored by New Dawn Boxing Promotions.

He was on course to maintain his clean sheet after dominating most of the rounds with his hard-hitting punches.

Not that Masamba was a walkover, but he just lacked accuracy by throwing punches wildly and, in the process, missing his target.

The first round saw the boxers playing a cautious game, much to the displeasure of the huge crowd that had turned up for this high-billed non-title welterweight fight.

Kudakwache came in the second round with a deliberate jab-run technique and he scored more points as Masamba failed to duck his jabs.

The third round saw Kudakwache maintain superiority again as Masamba failed to mount his guard. Masamba rallied in the fourth round and managed to land several hard punches on his opponent’s face.

But Kudakwache recovered and went on to dominate in the sixth and seventh rounds.

However, Masamba came in the eighth and final round with renewed purpose, aiming for a knock-out.

Just midway in the round, he landed a heavy punch on Kudakwache which sent him wobbling, but he managed to stay on his feet.

But tables had been turned and Masamba became more aggressive and he finished the fight with a powerful hook that sent Kudakwache on the canvas. It was game over.

“Our game plan was to knock him out and we did that. He [Kudakwache] is an elusive boxer and we prepared well. Masamba was in good physical condition as we worked on endurance during the training sessions. I am glad that we have carried the day,” said Masamba’s manager Craig Rousssea.

On his part, Masamba admitted that it was a tough game.

“I faced a good opponent and it feels good to have won. I thank God for the victory,” said Masamba who now has fought 21 fights, winning 16 and losing five.

Kudakwache could not talk to the press as he was still reeling from the blows, but his manager, Mike Chimaliza, accepted defeat, saying: “He [Kudakwache] fought well overall but I think he lost concentration in the last round,” said Chimaliza.