Langton Nyakwenda-Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S happening tonight!
The much-anticipated Trabablas 3 Boxing Tournament explodes into life at the Kwekwe Sports Arena where five world championship belts will be on the line.
Headlining the boxing show is the World Boxing Federation Super Middleweight title fight between Zimbabwe’s Freeman “Sekuru Gudo” Mabvongwe and Mbachi Kaonga of Zambia.
It’s another bite of the cherry for Mabvongwe who lost in Georgia last year.
“I have been training like a champion and I am going to claim this belt,” Mabvongwe told Zimpapers Sports Hub soon after weigh-in at Kwekwe Sports Arena yesterday.
“It’s an honour to fight at the Trabablas boxing tournament which is held in honour of President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
“The President motivates us as youths, he is always encouraging us to work hard and I have been working hard ahead of this fight.”
In Kaonga, Mabvongwe has a tough opponent. The Zambian was in a no nonsense mood yesterday.
“This is my first shot at a world title and I can’t let this opportunity slip,” Kaonga said.
“I have put more work ahead of this fight.
“Yes, Freeman will give me a good fight but I don’t know if he will last the distance.
“I am going to knock him down like I always do to the other opponents.
“No jokes no drama, it’s serious business,” declared Kaonga.
The 28-year-old Mabvongwe has a 9-6-0 record while Kaonga has a 10-2-0 record.
Long serving female boxer Revai Madondo has an opportunity to land an international belt when she takes on Chimwemwe Banda for the WIBA and Trabablas Bantamweight title.
“The Trabablas boxing tournament has given us an opportunity as ladies.
“I am fighting on home soil and this is my chance,” Madondo said.
Marlon Chivero will square up against Moses Banda for the World Boxing Federation Super Bantamweight belt.
Mike Phiri and Ignatius Mutale will tussle for the WBF Featherweight title while Alice Mbewe and Sakina Ibrahim will contest for the Super Bantamweight belt.
There are some interesting non-title fights on the bout card.
World Boxing Federation Super Flyweight champion Tinashe Majoni squares up against Sean Josephy of Malawi.
“This might not be a title fight but it’s a very important fight for me.
“I will use it to fine tune ahead of my title defence which could come soon,” said Majoni.
Some local boxers on the card include former World Boxing Federation champion Evans Husaiwhevhu, Bernard Kundai and Nyasha Hwata.
