Aliyah Phiri bounces back

Langton Nyakwenda

FORMER African Boxing Union Lightweight champion Aliyah Phiri can now fight again, after his one-year-long doping ban expired yesterday.

Phiri was stripped of his ABU belt last November after he was found guilty of using Frosinone, a prohibited substance.

This was discovered from tests conducted on the boxer in March last year soon after a successful title defence against Saidi Mkola of Tanzania in Harare.

Phiri was slapped with a one-year ban that expired yesterday.

The 24-year-old star boxer returns to 7 Arts Theatre on Saturday to relaunch his bid to return to the top echelons of African boxing.

He squares up against Tanzanian Mbaraka Mtangembunda in a non-title fight, which is one of the numerous supporting bouts to the World Boxing Federation Super Flyweight championship fight.

Phiri’s stable mate, Tinashe “Jones” Majoni, takes on Aubrey Masamba for the vacant WBF Super Flyweight belt.

The legendary Charles Manyuchi also returns to the ring on the same night to trade leather with Limbano Lano of Malawi.

However, most of the focus will be on Phiri, whose return from the ban has left his handlers dreaming big once again.

Phiri’s trainer and brother, Ali “Otto” Phiri, is convinced the former ABU champion will rise again.

The Rise of Champions 5 tournament on Saturday could be a perfect opportunity for Phiri to remind boxing fans he is still around.

The bill has been put up by Otto Boxing Club.

“Aliyah never stopped training; he was always in the gym because we knew one day he would fight again,” said Ali.

“Of course, the ban affected him, but he has been handling the situation.

“The ban has now expired and we are happy to tell the nation that Phiri is in good condition and ready to rise again.”

Before the doping ban, Phiri was on the rise.

He won the ABU belt in December 2023 after a second round TKO victory over Israel Kamwamba of Malawi.

He then successfully defended his title against Mkola in March last year.

Phiri was then suspended from boxing after he tested positive for the banned substance.

“We are expecting to see a fired-up Aliyah because he is so eager to reclaim his position as one of the best pugilists in the country,” said Ali Phiri.

There are a number of interesting bouts on the card, including the one featuring Hassan Milanzi, who defends his WBF Super Bantamweight title against Abdul Kubira of Tanzania.

National light welterweight champion Nyasha Hwata will defend his title against Evans Husayihwevhu.

Boxers from several African countries will arrive in Zimbabwe on Thursday, ahead of weigh in on Friday.

Rise of Champions 5 Bout card

Talent Munda v Elson Chidhakwa (Bantamweight)

Zvikomborero Chemhere v Ephraim Dzingisai (Bantamweight)

Shungu Kupani v Privilege Matutu (Featherweight)

Nyasha Phiri v Patson Mutengwa (Lightweight)

Mike Mukariri v Trynos Zihove (Lightweight)

Alice Mbewe v Loveness Khoka (Bantamweight)

Tafadzwa Mushando v Ascot Vavarirai (Lightweight)

Bongani Makovora v Faniya Musekwa (Super Bantamweight)

Freeman Mabvongwe v Lawrence Chiyangwa (Middleweight)