adminRicky Zililo Senior Sports Reporter
THERE were nine technical knockouts (TKO) at the Bulawayo Amateur Boxing Association (Baba)’s 19 bouts held at Manor Hotel on Saturday. Wisdom Nyakota of Nketa knocked out Gweru’s Gerald Tuyane in the second round of their flyweight fight in the opening bout of the tournament. The second TKO was registered in the third bout when Russell Mariri from Gweru beat Mighty Kudzotsa of Nketa in the first round of their catch-weight bout.
Martin Dhlodhlo of Percy Ibbotson Boxing Club knocked out Donald Chikuramari in a bantamweight fight.
The Nketa duo of Andy Mleya and Bongani Ndlovu also registered TKOs against Blessing Govha and Claudious Manyonga respectively.
Fortune Ndlovu (Gweru) beat Simbarashe Chapanda and Lancelot Moyo of Lobengula overcame Melody Jaravaza, while Thembani Mhlanga of Gweru beat Mbongeni Mathe.
Sikhulile High School’s Lynette Dhlamini was the only female boxer to win through a TKO after pummelling Privilege Sibanda of Gweru in a featherweight bout.
Baba vice-chairman Ezwell Ndlovu said the pugilists used the tournament to prepare for next month’s Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing Association’s national championships to be held in Hwange or Chiredzi.
“I think this was one of the best tournaments we’ve had this year. Initially we thought we were going to have about 12 bouts, but we managed to get 19 high quality fights,” said Ndlovu.
“As organisers, we’re happy that the boxers came in their numbers and we shall have another tournament to polish our preparations for the national championships in about two weeks.”
The Baba tournament had boxers from Nketa, Gweru, Sikhulile High School, Percy Ibbotson, Nkulumane, Lobengula, HQ One Brigade and Young Arts clubs.
Results
Bantamweight: Martin Dhlodhlo (Percy) knocked out Donald Chirukamari (Gweru), Hassan Milanzi (Gweru) won on points against Zibusiso Nyoni (Nketa),
Light-flyweight: Douglas Samere (Gweru) won on points against Clive Simozo (Sikhulile High School), Fortune Ndlovu (Gweru) knocked out Simbarashe Chapanga (Percy)
Lightweight: Andy Mleya (Nketa) knocked out Blessing Govha (Percy), Bongani Ndlovu (Nketa) knocked out Claudious Manyonga (Gweru), Shayne Sibanda (Gweru) won on points against Brighton Masutu (Nketa)
Flyweight: Wisdom Nyakota (Nketa) knocked out Gerald Tuyane (Gweru), Mthulisi Dube (Sikhulile High School) won on points against Robson Mahambayedwa (Gweru)
Catch weight: Russel Mariri (Gweru) knocked out Mighty Kudzotsa (Nketa), Keith Mbedzi (Sikhulile High School) won on points against Matthew Mahachi (Nketa), Godknows Sithole (HQ One Brigade) won on points against Micky Musonza (Nkulumane), Shepherd Sithole (Gweru) won on points against Shadreck Machaya (Nketa), Lancelot Moyo knocked out Melody Jaravaza (Gweru), Thembani Mhlanga (Gweru) knocked out Mbongeni Mathe (Sikhulile High School), Godknows Sithole (HQ One Brigade) won on points against Marko Sibanda (HQ One Brigade)
Featherweight: Lindiwe Khumalo (Gweru) won on points against Bridget Ncube (Sikhulile High School), Lynette Dhlamini (Sikhulile High School) knocked out Priviledge Sibanda (Gweru)
Middleweight: Brighton Masiyambumbi (Nketa) won on points against Lionel Green (Young Arts)
Online Reporter