Year of shame, joy and boxing war
The year 2012 had its low keys for Malawi boxing. For instance, take the case of a poorly organised bout that brought shame to the sport.
Female boxer Agnes Mtimaukanena on May 19 won a continental World Boxing Forum (WBF) belt against Kenyan Susan Adenso whose credentials were questioned by some quarters who claimed she was not a contender for a world title fight, let alone a national one.
It was claimed that Adenso is lowly rated in Kenya that authorities there were surprised that she was allowed to come to Malawi for a title fight.
Kenyan boxing authorities alleged that she was not even on the list of the country’s top 10 female boxers.
As expected, Adenso lost miserably the fight which earned Mtimaukanena undue praise from many, including President Joyce Banda who gave her K500 000 (about $1 470).
It took six months for Mtimaukenana to face real challenge in Zimbabwean Fortunate Chiziwo who beat her in a non-title fight on November 22.
Ironically, Chiziwo is not even a top boxer in her country and has never won a title.
Mtimaukanena’s manager Steve Msiska later explained that Adenso was not the intended opponent for Mtimaukanena.
National Professional Boxing Committee (NPBC) Lonzoe Zimba said despite being involved in a dubious title fight, Mtimaukanena together with Happiness Nkhoma has helped encourage some Malawian girls to take boxing seriously.
“If we are to ignore the negatives and focus on the positives, then we could say Mtimaukanena and Nkhoma have given shape to female boxing,” said Zimba.
