Hannock Phiri vies for World Boxing Council glory
National light welterweight champion Hannock Phiri will vie for a World Boxing Council (WBC) belt when he squares up against Jakhongir Rasulov in Uzbekistan on Saturday.
Apparently, Phiri has picked the fight when he is preparing for an African Boxing Union (ABU) bout against South Africa-based compatriot Dennis Mwale slated for April 28 at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) Sports Complex.
Phiri reportedly left the country on Monday alongside trainer Brian Mwando and matchmaker Stephen ‘Mawenzi’ Msiska.
Kuhes Sports Complex Administrator Geoffrey Biya said the boxer is exercising his contractual obligation.
“Indeed, Hannock notified us that he wanted to use the fight as part of preparations for the forthcoming ‘Knock Out Suicide’ bill. According to the contract the boxer signed, he cannot take part in any bout within 30 days of our fight.
“In this case, you can see that he is within the timeframe. He can take part in another fight as long as it is not within 30 days of the fight we have organised,” Biya said.
Phiri and his team could not be reached for a comment as they were reportedly in transit.
Rasulov, 26, has four straight knockout wins while twenty-four-year-old Phiri has six victories, two defeats and a draw.
Kuhes hired Mwando to take charge of Phiri’s preparations ahead of the two bouts.
Biya said they believe Mwando has the expertise to transform Phiri.
“We want to fully equip the fighter so that he should not disappoint his fans,” he said.
