Masamba earns dramatic revenge over Kayuni
Wilson ‘Hard-hitter’ Masamba earned his revenge against fellow Malawi Defence Force (MDF) boxer Osgood ‘The Punisher’ Kayuni in a melodramatic fashion at Robin’s Park in Blantyre on Saturday.
Initially, it was announced that Kayuni had won the eight-round non-title junior lightweight bout on split-points decision with a 75-75, 78-78 and 78-88 on the score-cards of the match’s judges Desire Kambewa, Lovemore Katanda and Dyson Luya.
But as Kayuni engaged his fans in celebration, another scoreline indicating Masamba as the victor appeared.
Referee of the bout Mbachichi Nyirenda spoke on behalf of the judges claiming that someone presented wrong results to the announcer Dan Chemisi Makiyi. He said the ‘official’ score-card registered 79-76, 79-75 and 79-78 in favour of Masamba.
“A certain man went to the jury to take the official results but he ended up giving the wrong results to the announcer,” Nyirenda explained on behalf of the jury.
“We realised someone presented wrong figures when it was announced one of the judges gave Kayuni 88 points, yet the maximum points one can acquire in an eight-round bout is 80, as each round has 10 points.”
Masamba, who claimed after the first results that the judges had robbed him of victory, said he is happy that he has won against Kayuni after suffering three successive defeats previously.
“I knew the victory was mine as I dominated the bout. It was clear the judges had made a mistake by declaring me a loser. But I am happy they realised their mistake and rectified it in time. This is sweet revenge for me,” said the Pain No Gain Boxing Promotions boxer, who has improved his record to 29 wins, a draw and six losses.
Nevertheless, Kayuni, who knelt down and praised the Lord following the initial result, said he has no problem with the latest outcome.
“If the judges believe I have lost, there is no way I can protest,” said Kayuni, adding he failed to fulfil his promise of plucking a knockout victory due to his weakened body strength after shedding-off over six kilogrammes as he tried to match Masamba’s weight category.
Kayuni, whose record now stands at 25 victories, two draws and six defeats, weighed 59.8kgs while Masamba was at least a kilogram heavier.
Mulanje Last Boxing Promotions (MLBP) director Mike ‘Bangwe One’ Chitenje, who organised the bout with sponsorship from Chombe Foods Limited, said they were not interested in the result but to see if the two boxers were ready for upcoming international fights.
In supporting bouts, septuagenarians ‘Tough’ Ben Chitenje and Kachitigu Ndoro did not fight because Ndoro had no mouth guard whereas Israel Kamwamba beat Laston Kayira on points. Aubrey Masamba knocked out Gideon Kankhwani as Tinkhani Kamanga and Yamikani Mkandawire settled for a draw. Malawian female boxer Ellen Simwaka beat Zambian Diana Makumbe.n
