Malawi Boxing Association top brass differ on KIS drama
Malawi Boxing Association (Maba) president Henry Sakala and his deputy Captain Eric Masenda have come up with different versions over the drama that happened on Sunday, May 11, 2014 at Kamuzu Institute of Sports (KIS), where local boxing outfit New Dawn Boxing Promotions (NDBP) sponsored a Middleweight title bout involving Alic Mwenda and Felix Mwamaso.
Mzuzu based Msoliza wrestled the belt from the Malawi Defence Force soldier after winning on points after 12 rounds.
The title fight was supported by a non-title professional bout between Kamuzu Barracks based Kamuzu Barracks based Salim Chazama and Ernest Msoliza from Mzuzu.
Drama ensured in Round IV of the main supporting bout when electricity went off, prompting NDBP managing director Mike Chimaliza to go out hunting for a generator. As the promoter went searching for the gadget, organizers opened the entrance to the stage to allow light into the hall.
The bout went on up to the last round and Chazama was declared winner on a split points’ decision.
Blood thirsty fans had to wait for two hours before electricity was restored but more drama had to follow. Soon before title match, Chazama and Msoliza were recalled into the boxing ring in civilian attire and a second announcement was made that their bout had ended in a draw.
It was explained through the information system that one of the boxing match officials did not properly read on the results’ sheet due to darkness.
But Maba top officials have come up with different versions on the issue with Sakala saying the first results were reversed by a jury while his deputy says one of the officials made an error when calculating the scores.
“The match officials announced the results without consulting the jury and as Maba, we had to nullify the results and let the jury make its determination. When the first two judges contradict, it is the third who determines the result. The third judge declared the bout a draw,” explained Sakala.
But his deputy said: “One of the officials did not read the scores properly due to darkness.”
“And after consultations we had to announce the correct result,” said Masenda without naming the official in
question.
