Limbani Masamba reclaims belt after pounding Kudakwache

Enterprising boxer Limbani ‘The Lion’ Masamba got a special Christmas present on Boxing Day when he defeated Kudakwache Banda through a technical knock-out in a 12-round Super-welterweight title bout staged before a good crowd at central region boxing mecca M1 Centre Point in the capital city.

The victory saw Masamba reclaiming the Super-welterweight belt, which he lost last year after losing to Chikondi Makawa. Makawa eventually surrendered the belt to Masamba’s rival Kudakwache, who was stripped of the title three months ago, having lost by knock-out to Masamba in an eight-round non-title bout at the M1 Centre Point.

As per World Boxing Council (WBC) rules, any belt holder who loses by knock-out is automatically stripped of his title.

Unwilling to let his belt go just like that, Kudakwache sought to reclaim the title at the expense of his rival Masamba, who was also seeking to reclaim the belt.

Came Monday, the two boxers came face to face in the ring at the central region boxing mecca. Round one saw the boxers sizing each other up but the real business began in the second round.

Things reached a climax in round six, when Kudakwache was forced to kneel down in the ring by a combination of heavy punches from the ‘Lion.’

Kudakwache had his turn in the same round, when he sent his opponent sprawling on the canvas with a lucky punch, which caught Masamba off balance.

In a matter of seconds, Masamba, who was more aggressive and precise woke up and pressed for a knock-out, which looked inevitable in the seventh round. Kudakwache was forced to his kneels again in the seventh round but as he appeared to beat the count from referee Leonard Metazama, his corner threw in the towel, bringing the bound to an abrupt end.

Masamba was declared winner on technical knock-out and got back his belt from Malawi Professional Boxing Board president Lonzo ‘Defector’ Zimba.

“I feel very happy to have reclaimed my title and I thank God for giving me strength to win this bout. It was not me but God, who was on my side. I also thank my trainer John Masamba, sparring partner Limbani Lano and all those who helped me prepare for this bout,” said Masamba, who knocked his opponent unconscious at the same venue three months ago.

Kudakwache accepted defeat but said he would need the belt at a certain point in time: “I accept the loss but I will need the belt at a certain point. The way I fought today was not what I expected but I have to go back on the drawing board and rectify my weaknesses before my next bout,” said Kudakwache.

Anold Chakunkha, spokesperson for Ngwenyama Boxing Promotions, which sponsored the bout said the boxing firm was satisfied with the manner things went.

“We are satisfied with the way things have gone. The turn-up was also encouraging and we are going to continue sponsoring high profile bouts and improving where we have not done well,” said Chakunkha.

During the main supporting bout, Robert Kachiza defeated Marshal Ali on points after six rounds.

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