Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
ALIYAH PHIRI’S camp believes the former Africa Boxing Union Lightweight champion will bounce back from last weekend’s morale sapping defeat.
Phiri suffered the third defeat of his career when he lost on points against Jonathan Lotango of DR Congo at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale.
The 25-year-old pugilist now has a 7-3-0 record.
Phiri’s handlers had intended to use this as a tune up fight ahead of an international title bout set for December.
Nonetheless, the Zimbabwean star pugilist is still in line for another continental title fight.
“We accepted the defeat and it was a good loss because we were not fighting against a nobody,” said Ali Phiri, the boxer’s trainer and manager.
Phiri’s fight against Lotango was by far his toughest since he turned professional in 2019.
It was an exciting contest, one that even overshadowed the main bout, which featured Bongani Makorova and Musa Kananji of Malawi.
Makorova beat Kananji to claim the World Boxing Federation Bantamweight belt.
However, it was Phiri’s stunning loss to Lotango that became the major talking point of that boxing night.
The 25-year-old Phiri has never lost a fight at 7 Arts Theatre, which has become his favourite hunting ground in recent years.
It was at the same venue where he won the Africa Boxing Union Lightweight title in 2023.
He successfully defended the belt last year but was unfortunately stripped after testing positive for a prohibited substance.
Phiri, also served a one-year ban from the ring and only returned to business in March.
His fight against Lotango was his second after serving a doping ban.
“Lotango is a great fighter, we learnt a lot from him.
“We now know where we have to improve before we get another fight for Aliyah (Phiri).
“We are back again in December but the opponent is not yet clear,” added Ali Phiri.
The veteran trainer has a number of good boxers under his wings including World Boxing Federation Flyweight champion Tinashe “Jones” Majoni.
Another WBF champion Hassan Milanzi, also belongs to the Otto Boxing Stable.
