World Boxing Forum former welterweight champion Agness Mtimaukanena is set to dish out a ‘Christmas Box’ present in Tanzania, where she squares up against Leila Yusuph Macho at Super Dome Arena in Dar es Salaam today.
The Malawian might be rusty, having last fought in April last year, when she defeated Lucy Macho on unanimous points at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences Sports Complex in Blantyre.
However, Mtimaukanena is convinced that she would excel to earn a title shot.
Much as the Malawian makes light of the six-round non-title clash, Mtimaukanena has to be at her best fighting in an unfamiliar category of super middleweight, having upgraded weight.
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Mtimaukanena has enjoyed success in the welterweight category and this fight is a test of her acumen and strength to prove her prowess in an advanced division.
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“Every game has been crucial for me as I have won most of my fights. I always look forward to a win. I have prepared well with my coach Andrew Muyaya. My experience over the years will help me in this fight,” Mtimaukanena said.
Macho, speaking during the weigh-in session yesterday, vowed to knock out the Malawian.
“I will not waste time talking but I will give her a thorough beating in the ring,” Macho said.
Matchmaker Stephen Mawenzi Msiska cautioned Mtimaukanena to keep her guard tight as the Tanzanian is capable of finding breakthroughs.
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“This is not an easy fight. She has to be strong from the first round, keeping her defence well and then launching counter blows,” Msiska said.
Records for both boxers appear hazy on boxrec.com as some of their fights have not been updated.
Currently, boxrec.com recognises that Mtimaukanena has won five fights, losing three and drawing once whereas Macho has two wins.
In April last year, Mtimaukanena bounced back into the ring after a five-year break.
And she did so in convincing fashion, defeating Lucy Macho on unanimous points.
Mtimaukanena made the return to active boxing after she last fought at Club 24/7 at Kameza Roundabout in Blantyre, where she defeated Eugene Kayange on points in 2017.
