The Sunday Mail
ZIMBABWEAN boxers reaffirmed their dominance in the region last weekend, with bantamweight pugilist Tinashe Madziwana’s victory over a highly-rated Malawian.
Madziwana floored Malawian champion Robert Kachidza, who was left unconscious after a flurry of blows in the second round, during a non title bout held in Lilongwe last Sunday.
The victory came barely a week after World Boxing Council International welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi had also knocked out Tanzanian champion Ibrahimu Class after only 57 seconds in another non title fight in Zambia.
Madziwana’s masterly victory, which puts a gloss to his otherwise unimpressive record, reportedly left the Malawian Minister of Sports and Youth Development Grace Obama Chiumia embarrassed.
Chiumia is said to have described Kachidza’s loss as an embarrassment after the Malawian fainted following a rain of blows at the Lilongwe Community Centre.
“It was a moment not worth reminiscing,” Chiumia was quoted as saying.
Kachidza, meanwhile, has since issued a public apology to his nation while acknowledging Madziwana’s technique.
“He (Madziwana) is indeed a good boxer, very strong and energetic. The past two days I have been unwell because of his heavy punches.
“I am apologising to all Malawians and the promoter of the fight for what happened,” Kachidza told a Malawian radio station last Thursday.
Madziwana was full of brag when Nyasa Times of Malawi interviewed him after the fight.
“He was no match for me. I feel sorry for him. I don’t think he was fit to be in the ring,” he said.
The Malawi bout was organised by New Dawn Boxing Promotions in conjunction with local promoter Clyde Musonda of Delta Force Boxing Promotions.
Musonda, a former Olympic boxer, was impressed with Madziwana’s performance.
“The young man did the nation proud; everyone was talking about the Zimbabwean boxer who left his opponent unconscious.
“He made light work of the Malawian, his punches were spot-on and we hope he carries on with this kind of form,” said Musonda, who hinted that a title fight could be coming for Madziwana.
The win will boost Madziwana’s record, which, according to reputable boxing statisticians Boxrec, stands at a poor 1-11-0.
His last recognized win was way back in December 2004 when he beat Chenjerai Makanyire at Ochi City in Harare.
Lack of local boxing action has also contributed to the boxer’s inactivity as his last recognised fight was in March 2013.
Meanwhile, former Commonwealth boxing champion Arifonso Zvenyika’s academy got a major boost last week when local security company Fawcetts donated punching bags and spiking ropes.
Zvenyika, who spiked his gloves a decade ago, has established a boxing gym at Stodart Hall in Mbare where he trains more than 15 amateur and professional boxers.
Mbare is renowned for producing talented boxers like the great Proud “Kilimanjaro” Chinembiri (late), Gilbert “Giro” Josamu (late), UK-based heavyweight boxer Dereck Chisora and Zvenyika himself.
