The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
ZIMBABWE’S top female boxer Monalisa Sibanda is crying foul after being floored in 22 seconds by Malawi’s Anisha Bashir at the M1 Centre Point in Lilongwe last Sunday. The 33-year-old Sibanda claims it wasn’t Bashir’s fierce punching, but a headbutt which floored her. “She actually headbutted me on the right eye. I realised I couldn’t continue and surrendered,” said the boxer, who also accused the Malawian’s corner of employing dirty tactics from the day she arrived.Bashir is trained by Zimbabwean Clyde Musonda. “They planned it all. I am not a sore loser but that is exactly what happened, she is a coward. I will be back in training (this week) hoping to get another fight in December,” said Sibanda.
However, a thorough analysis of the fight’s video, which is in possession of this publication, does not provide evidence to back up the Zimbabwean boxer’s claims. In the video, Sibanda is seen hitting the canvass after finding herself at the receiving end of a right hook. Away from the head-butting claims, Sibanda may have been affected by ring rust having last fought on November 22, 2014 when she was knocked out by Zambia’s Lolita Muzeya in Lusaka.
While Muzeya is now a holder of the World Boxing Council International welterweight title, Sibanda is still searching for international recognition on the wrong side of age 30. Sibanda has fought and lost by TKO four times in the last four years. Her last victory came way back in August 2008 when she beat Julie Tshabalala of South Africa. Is Sibanda over the hill?
“No I am not old,” she charged. “There is still a future in boxing for me. Look at Fatuma Zarika of Kenya, she won a WBC belt early October and yet she is 31, almost my age. With proper sponsorship for my training I can rise to global recognition. Just give me time.”
As Sibanda struggles on, one of her peers, Diana Makumbe, is contemplating hanging up her gloves at the age of 34.
“It is time I give youngsters a chance. I intend to set up an academy next year. I have spoken to some boxers and friends, we feel it is time we give youngsters a chance,” revealed Makumbe, who is backed by Law 4 All Legal Aid Society.
