Tag Archives: Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board

Boxing

Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board Gets State-of-the-Art Ring from WBC

Maravi Post Reporter

By Jones Gadama

The Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) has received a significant boost with the donation of a state-of-the-art boxing ring from the World Boxing Council (WBC).

The ring, valued at K19.5 million, was announced at a press briefing at Crossroads Hotel in Lilongwe by MPBCB President Lonzoe Zimba.

This development comes as a relief to local boxers who have been training and competing in makeshift rings, raising concerns about safety and performance.

In the past, the MPBCB has had to hire rings from the government or neighboring Zambia for international professional fights.

The cost of hiring these rings varies, ranging from $950 to $1,250 per day, depending on the type and quality of the ring.

Zimba revealed that he had requested the WBC for a standard boxing ring during a convention in Mexico in 2022.

The government, through the Malawi National Council of Sports, facilitated the clearance of the ring by granting a waiver.

“Today, I want to announce that the ring we have been waiting for is here,” Zimba said, expressing gratitude to the government for their support.

New Dawn Boxing Promotions Managing Director Mike Chimaliza welcomed the donation, saying it will significantly improve boxing in Malawi.

“We are grateful for the efforts put up by President Lonzoe Zimba to have the ring brought into the country,” Chimaliza said.

He added that the use of dilapidated rings had been a major setback in convincing sponsors to promote boxing in the country.

The lack of proper facilities has been cited as one of the challenges facing Malawian boxers. According to Frank Chibisa, MPBCB Vice President, boxers have been using amateur rings that are 8 meters by 8 meters, which differ from standard professional rings that are 6 meters by 6 meters.

This discrepancy can make it difficult for boxers to adjust when competing internationally.

The donation of the ring is expected to enhance the safety and performance of Malawian boxers, providing them with a world-class facility to train and compete. It also demonstrates the WBC’s commitment to promoting boxing globally, including in countries like Malawi.

With this new development, Malawi’s boxing fraternity is optimistic about the future of the sport in the country.

The state-of-the-art ring will not only improve the safety of boxers but also attract more sponsors and fans to the sport.

Boxing, Regional, Sports

Malawi boxing body sympathizes with Catherine Phiri’s ban

Maravi Post Reporter
Catherine Phiri banned for two years

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) is sympathized with the banned Zambian Female boxer Catherine Phiri.

The former World Boxing Council Bantamweight Gold Champion Phiri has been suspended from all boxing activities for two years for using a banned substance.

The boxer used the substance as preparations for the fight against Zimbabwe’s Kudakwashe Chiwandire.

Phiri is said to have used FUROSEMIDE, unknowingly in an effort to reduce her weight.

Furosemide is however, prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

The MPBCB has received the news about Catherine’s ban with great concern and sympathized with the former WBC Bantamweight champion.

President of MPBCB Lonzoe Defector Zimba who is also the Executive Member for African Boxing Union (ABU) and World Boxing Council (WBC) Board of Governor expressed his concern and sympathy saying the boxer represented both Zambia, Malawi and Africa.

Zimba indicated that, Phiri won WBC Bantamweight Gold championship four times in a row which was not a mean achievement.

“She was a most decorated female boxer in the World from Africa and specifically Zambia. Let me appeal to Phiri to continue training during the two years time so that she return stronger.

“Let me warn and advise the boxers here in Malawi and Africa at large that they should not take any piece of advice from others but rather from sober people with sober minds.

“I know Catherine didn’t take that substance on her own but after being advised. The boxers should be pretty aware that after any fight the Anti-Doping control body will always come”, said Zimba.

Meanwhile the Former World Female Boxer champion Esther Phiri has urged Catherine to stay focused and use her two year ban from the sport to regain her form.

She said Catherine is a talented boxer who can make a comeback provided she uses her time in serving the suspension to get back to the gym and regain form.

Esther Phiri said the boxer’s ordeal is a temporal setback as she can rise and compete for titles in future. She has however concurred with the MPBCB President Lonzoe Zimba in urging the boxing fraternity to ensure that they make consultations before administering any medication or supplements to the boxers.

Catherine Phiri held the WBC female Bantamweight title from 2016 to 2017 and challenged twice for the WBC female Super- bantamweight title in 2017 and 2019.

She is ranked as the World’s 10th best active female super- bantamweight by BoxRec as of May, 2022.

Top News

Malawi Boxing Board up with boxers’ business venture orientations

Maravi Post Reporter

By Edwin Mbewe

LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board has said from next year 2022, will be conducting business orientations with boxers aimed at easing the difficult times they pass through after retirement as they will be well equipped with Skills and knowledge of how to use the money they get from the fights.

The sentiments have been made by Lonzoe Defector Zimba who is the President of the Board on Wednesday December 29, 2021 in the capital Lilongwe.

This coupled with welcoming Ruth Chisale from Tanzania where she won International World Boxing Federation Belt after defeating Grace Mwakamele through unanimous decision at Ubungo,Dar es Salaam on Christmas Box holiday.

The win took the Malawi Defence Force Soldier’s record to eleven wins from the twelve fights. Zimba said a lot of boxers struggle to earn their living when they retire hence coming up with these orientations so that they will be independent and not struggle.

“We have already given capital to Central and Southern Region Boxing Committee’s and we have heard that their businesses are going on very well a thing which we are pleased with. We are remaining with Northern Region Boxing Committee. We are giving them these funds so that they run the businesses and help each boxer. We are giving them the money with no interest”, says Zimba.

On Chisale’s victory in Tanzania, Zimba said that this is clear indication that female boxers can also put this country on a World map hence asked match makers and Promoters to think of finding them fights whenever they are organizing the bouts.

“Ruth has done us proud us board hence giving her this heroes welcome today so that other female boxers are encouraged.

“Let me ask authorities in the Ministry of Sports and other stakeholders to recognize our boxers when they perform well on international fights in the same way they do with footballers and Netballers saying all are athletes who represent Malawi”,Zimba added.

The MDF Female Boxer hailed Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board for the gesture saying she did not expect the board to welcome her the way they have done.

Described the fight she had in Tanzania as a tough one as she fought a fellow Soldier.She further vowed to her supporters that she will be working extra hard next year 2022 as to bring more International Belts in the Country.

Boxing, Malawi, Top News

Malawi cabinet ministers honour Anisha Bashir, winner of African Boxing Union Lightweight Belt

Malawi News Agency (MANA)

Cabinet Ministers have honoured a 20 year old lady boxer, Anish Bashir with MK 1 million cash for winning African Boxing Union (ABU) Lightweight Championship in Kenya.

Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, Samuel Tembenu presented the cash to Bashir on behalf of the Cabinet Ministers Wednesday at Bingu National Stadium in Lilongwe.

He said the cash was raised by all Cabinet Ministers after they were informed of the good news that Bashir had won the title bout in Kenya.

Tembenu explained that the country needs to start recognizing the success individual athletes are making by honouring them.

The Minister pointed out that the success of Bashir is not only meant for her but for the country as a whole, hence the decision by the Cabinet ministers to contribute something to thank her.

“This is not a mean achievement, it is worth recognizing. We need to applaud Bashir for her success and encourage her to aim high in her boxing career,” he pointed out.

Tembenu urged all other athletes, particularly female, to work hard so that in a year or two the country shall have more champions in various sports disciplines in the country.

“I would like to request both athletes and concerned officials to continue taking sporting activities seriously so that the country continues to be a sporting nation and a nation of champions,” he added.

Minister of Labour, Youth, Sports and Manpower Development, Francis Kasaila hailed fellow cabinet ministers for responding favourably after being requested to contribute to honour the lady boxer.

He said the achievement Bashir has registered in the boxing circles has put the country on the map and this could not be ignored by his Ministry.

Kasaila viewed that Bashir’s achievement could be used to encourage other young girls to venture into boxing as a career, as one way of promoting the sport in the country.

“We need to appeal to the private sector and individuals to invest in various sporting disciplines in the country and they need to view sports as business, not only as a marketing tool for the products,” the Minister of Sports highlighted.

Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board, Lonzoe Zimba, commended government for the continued support in promoting boxing in the country by encouraging women to view it as their sport.

Zimba said the Board have been impressed with the gesture the cabinet minister have shown to honour the young lady boxer for her achievement.

African Boxing Union Lightweight Champion, Bashir thanked the Cabinet Ministers for honouring her, saying this is great encouragement for her to do more for the nation.

She urged fellow women to look at boxing as a sport not as man’s game adding that there are more opportunities for ladies by associating themselves with the sport.

Minister of Gender, Children, Disabilities and Social Welfare, Jean Kalilani who was among the other two Cabinet Ministers, presented a piece of cloth to Bashir.

The 20 year old lady boxer, a resident of Area 23 has won seven fights and lost five. She will have to defend her title in three months’ time. She said however that her aim was to win the World Boxing Council title WBC.

Bashir is based in South Africa after she secured sponsorship to pursue her boxing career.