National Sports

Masamba punishes Malani for Osgood’s sins

Wilson ‘Hard-hitter’ Masamba on Sunday knocked out Malani Kayuni in the seventh round of their eight-round non-title bout.

With the victory at Afro Motel in Blantyre, Masamba avenged two losses he suffered last year at the hands of Malani’s brother, Osgood.

The 27-year-old featherweight champion was the toast of the day his flurry of punches glued helpless Malani to the ropes in the seventh round until referee Salome Manyau stopped the fight.

In the first five rounds, it appeared like a 50-50 affair, when the two boxers generously exchanged punches.

With his ducking skills and crispy jabs, Masamba made clear his intention of going for the kill. On the other hand, Malani was quite elusive. He could dodge Masamba’s punches while subtly keeping his powerful right fist on the standby.

What led to Malani’s downfall was not his delay to throw a powerful jab at the right time, but his lack of experience to contain a slick boxer of Masamba’s calibre.

On several occasions, Malani’s corner men advised him to stay focused and aim for killer punches, but it seemed the 22-year-old had his own game plan.

After the bout, Masamba was quick to attribute his triumph to his trainer Moses Mankhwala and his sparring partner Mussa Ajibu.

The two polished him to perfection during his week-long camp in Lilongwe.

“Had it not been for the shaky condition of the ring, I could have finished him off in the fourth round. But I am looking forward to a rematch against his elder brother [Osgood] who tarnished my image last year,” Masamba said.

However, Malani could hardly accept defeat. He labelled Masamba as a cheat who used unorthodox technique of hitting the back of his neck to win the fight.

“I could have accepted defeat if he had given me a smart and a decent fight. He insisted on hitting me on the back of the neck, so there is no way I can say he has beaten me. I will challenge him again for a rematch. He has robbed me victory,” he said.

Masamba, who received K170 000 ($1 017) for his win, has perfected his record to 25 victories, four draws and also four losses whereas Malani, who got K130 000 ($778), has spoiled his four-straight professional victories.

PMJ Boxing Promotions organised the bout alongside Afro Motel Limited. Ajibu sorted out Alick Mwenda in the third round of their five-round supporting bout. Mwenda sustained a cut on his right eye.

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