Zimbabwean boxer disputes Malawian Mwenda’s win
Zimbabwean boxer Brian Mwando has cried foul over the decision to give Malawi’s middleweight champion Alick Mwenda a split decision win in an eight round non-title bout at Mkango Lodge in Blantyre on Sunday.
The result left Mwando’s camp seething with rage as he considered that he was robbed of victory over the Malawi Defence Force soldier.
The Malawian was given the fight by the first judge 77-74 and 78-77 by the second judge while the third judge, who is also a soldier, scored it 78-77 in favour of the Zimbabwean boxer.
Mwenda started with false hopes in the early rounds but he could not endure the hard hitting Mwando’s punches midway through the bout.
But the Zimbabwean to unleash a killer punch which would have settled the matter outright.
Mwando’s mother who watched the fight said her son was robbed of victory.
“If this continues in Malawi you will kill the sport,” she said.
Mchinji Boyz Boxing Stable managing director Justice Katika, who promoted the fight but also manages the Zimbabwean, said some of the sponsors of the fight were not happy with the result.
“Some of the sponsors think that Mwando won the fight. But as a promoter of the fight I can’t say much except that I am ready to arrange a rematch if the two boxers want it,” he said.
Another prominent promoter Steve ‘Mawenzi’ Msiska, who is Mwando’s Malawian wife boxer Agnes Mtimaukanena said local referees and judges should go for refresher courses.
“As promoters we need to discuss and arrange a refresher course to avoid officiation discrepancies,” he said.
But the Malawian was excited with the win and would welcome a rematch.
“Prior to the fight there were a lot of things that happened and they affected my preparations. I would welcome a rematch if I am given a better offer,” he said.
This was Mwando’s third fight in Malawi having lost to hard hitter Chimwemwe Chiotcha through a knockout in rematch in the fourth round after the first bout ended premature because of impending darkness at Blantyre Youth Centre.
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