South identifies 18 boxers for championships

Southern Region Boxing Committee (SRBC) has identified 18 boxers to represent the region at the National Boxing Championships in Blantyre next month.

This follows regional qualifiers that attracted over 50 boxers at Chez Ntemba Club in Blantyre on Saturday. The contestants came from the region’s 13 boxing clubs.

At least 10 boxers sweated to qualify for the national contest while the rest earned their tickets without a fight.

George Kandulo, Israel Kamwamba, Tinkhani Kamanga, Collins Kazembe, Steven Mariko, Chikondi Makawa Felix Mwamaso and Limbano Lano won in the men’s light-flyweight, super-flyweight, bantamweight, lightweight, light-welterweight, light-middleweight, welterweight and heavyweight respectively.

But light heavyweight Frank Boti and super heavyweight Charles Luka qualified since they had no opponents. Flyweight Aubrey Masamba did not turn up, but he has also made it as no one challenged the category.

In the ladies section, Belina Chilemba beat Loretta Elliott in a lightweight bout whereas Uster Zimba defeated Mphatso Mateuzu in another lightweight fight. Nevertheless, all the female boxers have qualified alongside Eliza Nota, Witness Chunga, and Mphatso Nkoka, who had no opponents.

“I am happy that I have made it into the national finals again. I am now guaranteed of defending my light welterweight title,” enthused Mariko.

According to the SRBC chairperson Bester Saopa, the regional contest has proved that they will win more titles during this year’s national finals as boxers have made tremendous improvements, especially on power and speed.

Last year, the region’s six boxers became national champions.