The Maravi Post

MZUZU--If it were during the old dark days of the late Ngwazi, Dr. Hastings Kamuzu Banda oh! God forbid. Oganising an international boxing tournament in Malawi on Martyrs Day, dub it Blood Fight and get away with it? It was unheard of and anyone who dared do so would certainly end up in the Shire as food for crocodiles.

In those days, 3rd March was marked with solemnity throughout the country no sporting activities, no drinking, no laughing no nothing. You couldn’t even wash and dry baby napkins in the open for fear you would be whisked away by red-shirted Malawi Congress Party Youth League cadres and probably disappear forever.

It was a day to remember those who put their lives on the edge fighting for the independence and freedom Malawians are enjoying to-date. But today, things are different.  

Three international bouts are on the cards at newly opened Robins Park Hall in Blantyre on March 3 when Malawi's undisputed junior welterweight champion Osgood Kayuni faces Zimbabwean Takudzwa Kuchocha in an 8-round rematch that has been dubbed Blood Fight’.

The bout, which has been organised courtesy of Super Smile Boxing Promotions owned by renowned former TV sports presenter Saulos Thindwa, is billed to be curtain-raised by equally interesting international bouts between Malawi's featherweight champion Wilson Shasha Masamba and Zimbabwean Richard Muriri; Malawi’s Crispin Moliati versus Tanzanian Ramadhan Shauri; and a local bout between Malawi Kayuni and Marshal Ali.

But wait a minute! What is this we are hearing that Kayuni, Masamba and Moliati are among the recruits joining the Malawi Defence Force (MDF)? If it is true, then the much touted bouts may have to be shelved or rescheduled as military rules bar recruits from taking a break from their training to engage in other business.
For the next six months they will not be allowed to fight. As the army we will allow them to fight only after they complete military training, says MDF sports officer John Kaputa.

But Thindwa isn’t deterred, saying he will seek special clearance to have the boxers released for the international bouts.

Discussions with relevant authorities are underway so people should not panic. Hopefully the boxers will be released, he said.   

Thindwa draws his inspiration from what boxing trainer Godfrey Jalale, a retired lieutenant colonel in the MDF, advised the promoter, saying he should present his case to the relevant authorities.

It is an administrative issue and with proper reasons he can get special clearance, The Daily Times quoted Jalale as saying in its Tuesday edition.

Reports say the boxers signed contracts with Super Smile Boxing Promotions three months ago and were given training allowances as required in the contract.

After nearly sending Malawian welterweight boxer Kenneth Chinthenga into early retirement in July this year with a fifth round knockout that saw the latter rushed to hospital with a broken nose, Kuchocha returned to knock out another Malawian boxer in similar fashion at Community Centre Ground in the capital Lilongwe last year.

The tall Zimbabwean was virtually oozing with bravado, bragging that he had conquered Malawi until he met Kayuni who technically knocked him out with a sledgehammer that momentarily dislocated his shoulder at

Motel Paradise in a controversial and dramatic 3rd round in November last year.
Not accepting defeat, Kuchocha cried for a rematch, which may or may not materialise depending on the outcome of the said ongoing discussions between the promoter and the MDF.
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