‘Giving up not an option’
South Africa based Malawian pugilist Dennis Mwale has urged compatriots not to resort to committing suicide as a way of solving problems.
Mwale made the remarks after he recently featured in a ‘Knockout Suicide’ Boxing bill when he drew against Hannock ‘Hard Knock’ Phiri in a national super lightweight belt that ended in the ninth round.
“Giving up is not an option. We must keep fighting for what we believe in. In my case, I went to South Africa and I really struggled. I had to sleep in the streets at times but I did not give up. I worked hard and now my life is stable. Despite securing a job, I also started boxing in South Africa to realise my childhood dream. I have decent accommodation and I am now driving.
“My life is now stable. I would have lost a lot if I had terminated my life. In short, committing suicide is not a solution but only creates a lot of problems for people that surround you,” he said.
Mwale hailed the Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) Sports Complex for staging the fight to sensitise the country to the need to seek counselling when depressed.
“This is the way to go and Kuhes Sports Complex should be commended for taking this direction. On the other hand, people should be encouraged to open up. However, counsellors have a huge role to play by keeping secrets,” he said.
Mwale said he would like to feature in another home fight after his maiden appearance ended in a majority draw at Kuhes.
Two judges scored the fight as a draw but one gave it to Mwale on the score cards.
The 12-round contest was stopped in the ninth round following doctors’ recommendations that the fight could not proceed after Mwale sustained a cut close to his right eyelid.
Mwale sustained the cut from an accidental elbow in the eighth round.
Following the rules, the bout had to be decided using scorecards as the bout had gone beyond the third round.
Meanwhile, Kuhes General Manager George Chitungwa has said they will review the fight before reaffirming their support.
“It was a great night but we will do a post-mortem soon to map the way forward,” he said.
