Year 2019 was expected to be one of the best as far as boxing is concerned in the country considering it 2018 exploits when some boxers won belts at international level.
However, the year will go into memory lane as one of the worst as some local boxers suffered defeats on the international scene whereas others let go belts or title chances.
Chilemba fails to capture two belts
On July 20th Malawi’s boxing sensational Isaac ‘Golden Boy’ Chilemba lined up against Maksim Vlasov during a 12-round title contest for the vacant Eurasian Boxing Parliament Light Heavyweight Title and World Boxing Organisation Global Light Heavyweight belt.
All three judges scored the fight in Vlasov’s favour 117- 110, 116-111 and 116-111 as the Russian got his revenge following his 2011 loss to Chilemba during the early of both boxers’ professional career.
However, the South Africa based Malawian pugilist on unanimous decision at Central Square, in Gelendzhik, Russia.
Nevertheless, Chilemba finished the year strongly after defeating another Russian boxer, Alexander, Kubich, in an eight round non-title cruiserweight contest at Thessaloniki, Greece on Friday.
Bashir loses WBC chance, part ways with manager
The country’s female boxer of the moment, Anisha Bashir, also lost to World Boxing Council-Silver lightweight champion Chantelle Cameron, on unanimous decision at the Brentwood Centre in Essex, London, on July 20.
All the three judges scored in Cameron’s favour 100-90, 100- 89 and 100-89.
The Malawian’s dream to earn a title shot against world champion, Katie Taylor, this year vanished into thin air.
The result of the fight also had another effect on her stable as Bashir parted ways with manager, Craig Rousseau, of No Pain No Gain Boxing Promotions.
This followed series of disagreements that were haunting the pair.
Sources stated that Bashir was ready to pull the plug before her World Boxing Council-Silver lightweight loss to champion Chantelle Cameron on July 20.
However, she put on hold her decision to avoid jeopardizing the WBC-Silver 10-round title contest.
On his part, Rousseau, said he was briefly stepping aside from the sport having supported and groomed Bashir into a champion.
His remarks were in reference to the titles-African Boxing Union (ABU) and Commonwealth Female, which Bashir won after Rousseau’s managerial skills.
Ironically, Limbani Masamba was the first boxer to leave No Pain No Gain Boxing Promotions after growing frustrated and tired over his welfare.
The boxer claimed he was unhappy with lack of fights as well as failure to train adequately. His said this among grounds compelled him to dump the stable.
Kam’mwamba torments MDF boxers
If there is any name in boxing circles trending at Malawi Defence Force corridors is Israel ‘Money Machine’ Kam’mwamba having snatched and defended the lightweight belt under the nose of the soldiers.
Kam’mwamba defeated Crispin ‘Dungulinya’ Moliati at M1 Centre Point in Lilongwe on March 31 to grab the belt.
This came as a shock for Moliati who had kept the belt for two years without facing any challenger.
Moliati found the going tough after sustaining an eye injury from Kammwamba’s heavy punches in the third round.
On December 1, Kam’mwamba, proved too good for another MDF boxer, Salimu Chazama, after knocking out his opponent in round number five to defend the lightweight belt at M1 Centre Point in Lilongwe.
From the first round, Kam’mwamba was the dominant force in the ring unleashing flurry of punches forcing his opponent to the corner on several occasions. In round number three, Chazama gave his boxing fans some false hopes as he unleashed good punches.
Wilson Masamba misses UBO opportunity Malawi Defence Force boxer, Wilson Masamba, suffered a fifth round technical knockouts to miss a chance to vie for the Universal Boxing Organisation belt.
The fight took place in January in Tanzania but the Malawian failed to withstand Idd Pialari opting to retire.
