Vusumuzi Dube
AT just 26, Lisa Phakathi is proving that you do not need to throw punches to make your mark in the boxing ring, sometimes, all it takes is the courage to stand between the fighters and command respect.
The certified and licensed Zimbabwe Boxing Federation (ZBF) referee and judge is carving out a name for herself in a male-dominated sport, earning the trust to officiate high-pressure bouts, including title fights.
For Phakathi, stepping into the ring was never just about finding a job. It was about pursuing a passion inspired by her father, Felilizwe Phakathi, a boxer whose love for the sport planted the seed that would eventually shape her career.
Speaking to B-Metro in an interview, Phakathi said she wanted to become one of the most reliable and respected referees of her generation as she continued to sharpen her skills and gain experience.
“All I can say is I am loving it here. My goal is to be the most reliable and best referee in my generation,” she said.
Phakathi recently represented Zimbabwe at the Best of the Best Games in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, held on October 2 and 3, where she said she performed well overall.
Her experience includes officiating at local, provincial and national competitions, as well as youth tournaments, giving her exposure to different levels of the sport.
She said being entrusted with main bouts and title fights was a sign of confidence in her abilities, but she remained determined to learn and improve.
“I am thriving well in a male-dominated industry. This is not just a job to me; it is a gift and a passion,” she said.
Her journey into boxing officiating began with watching her father train her brother from the age of six. The family would travel to support him at competitions, exposing her to the sport and the people who kept it running.
As she watched the action, Phakathi began noticing that most of the referees were men — an observation that fuelled her desire to step into the ring and represent women in the profession.
Her father, whom she describes as a good boxer, did not receive the full support he needed to pursue the sport, as his own father placed greater emphasis on academics than sporting ambitions.
But the experience did not extinguish the family’s love for boxing. Instead, it helped inspire Phakathi to pursue her own path in the sport.
A key figure in her development has been her coach and mentor, Steven Masiyambumbi, whom she credits for helping her grow as an official.
Masiyambumbi received a best referee award at the 2025 World Championship Games in Dubai, an achievement Phakathi hopes to emulate as she continues to develop her craft.
She said she was still polishing her skills at Star 1 level but remained optimistic about progressing to bigger competitions.
“I am looking forward to bigger rings as I continue to advance in a way I least expected in this industry,” she said.
Despite the pressure that comes with officiating intense bouts, Phakathi said she had not considered walking away from the profession.
Instead, she is looking forward to more opportunities and better experiences, while hoping for fewer injuries among boxers in the ring.
For now, the young official is focused on learning, earning trust and proving that women can excel in every corner of the boxing world — including the one where the final decision rests with the referee.
