Malawi boxing legend ‘Tough’ Ben Chitenje will be laid to rest at Chingwembere Village, Traditional Authority Chikumbu in Mulanje District Saturday, his family has disclosed.
Chitenje, 81, died at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre on Wednesday.
His son Mike said there will be several activities to celebrate the departed legend.
“These activities will celebrate the life of my father as proposed by family, friends and community members,” he said.
Mike said there will be a farewell ceremony at Dessert ground in Bangwe Township today before the body is taken to Mulanje.
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“There will be ceremonial non-title bouts to celebrate my father’s life. This has been arranged in consultation with members of the community in Bangwe and the boxing fraternity,” he said.
Meanwhile, tributes are pouring in for the boxing legend, who was renowned for winning bouts through knockouts in his heydays.
Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board President Lonzoe ‘Defector’ Zimba said boxing has lost a fountain of wisdom.
“Late Chitenje played a crucial role in establishing the country’s first ever professional boxing body. We have lost a fountain of boxing wisdom. He was our pillar of strength.
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“He was dedicated to serving the sport and also contributed a lot to the formation of the body which governs professional boxing in the country. During his time in the ring, Chitenje was a crowd puller who used to pound his opponents in the ring without showing mercy,” Zimba said.
