Rematch for Ruth Chisale’s bout

Tom Sangala February 8, 2018

445 2 minutes read

Pugilist Ruth Chisale has received a timely boost after World Boxing Council (WBC) called for a rematch of her welterweight elimination fight against Zambian Lolita Muzeya, following irregularities that marred the initial contest.

Chisale’s camp lodged a complaint to WBC on January 2 2018, after the Malawian lost on unanimous points on December 30 2017 at Government Complex in Zambia.

WBC Women’s Championship Chairperson, Malte Muller- Michaelis, in a ruling dated February 6 2018, stated that they called for the rematch after reviewing reports and circumstances regarding the fight.

“The WBC does not accept the formal protest due to lack of compliance with the requirements in our rules.

“However, due to the fact that WBC did not appoint the ring officials that worked during the fight, which ended up being eight instead of 10 rounds, WBC will order for an immediate rematch between Lolita Muzeya and Ruth Chisale, which will be a final eliminator to determine the mandatory challenger for WBC Women’s Welterweight Champion, Cecilia Braekhus.

“The fight will be scheduled for 10-rounds, and all neutral ring officials, including a WBC supervisor, will be appointed by the WBC,” reads part of the ruling.

Furthermore, the ruling has asked both camps to start free negotiations to an agreement regarding the conditions (date, place, purses etc) for the important championship fight before February 23 2018.

“In case you cannot reach an agreement until the date, we will call for a purse bid to be held at the WBC Office in Mexico City (date and time to be announced),” the letter adds.

Chisale said the ruling proves that something fishy happened in the initial bout.

“As I said, I managed to increase my weight and I took the fight to her. Those that are honest and sincere will admit that I won the fight. It is a pity that some promoters were behind the scenes working with my opponent in Zambia to make sure that I should lose. I will now plan together with my management team on the way-forward,” she said.

Chisale’s joint management team, Rocky Boxing Academy and Ngumi Boxing Stable, described WBC’s determination as a landmark ruling which vindicates them.

“As I said, there were several irregularities that marred the contest. Lolita was knocked down and she wasn’t given a count, and yet we felt she could not have beaten it. One of the score-sheets from a Malawian judge had errors, instead of reading 77-77, it read 78-71 but the judge and the match commissioner did not raise the matter after the result was announced. We are happy that we have been vindicated,” Steve Msiska of Ngumi said.

Romio Kumwenda of Rocky said they will give Chisale all the support to realise her dream of winning a world title.

Muzeya’s promoter, Chris Malunga, welcomed the ruling.

“I was informed by the World Boxing Council about the ruling and we respect the decision. We had a long discussion over the ruling and we are more than happy that WBC has made the ruling. We will abide by it. We will make sure that Lolita prepares well so that she defeats Ruth. It is nice that a re-match has been granted with no objection. It is now up to the promoter to put up a good show with good conditions,” he said.