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Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
FRESH from an eye-opening one-week training camp in South Africa, boxers from Otto Boxing Club are now ready to rumble at the Grand Finale 4 tournament set for 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare on Saturday.
Otto Boxing Club is home to current African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight champion, Aliyah Phiri, and some bright prospects in the form of Tinashe “Jones” Majoni, Hassan “Star Boy” Milanzi and Bongani Makovora.
Although Phiri has been ruled out of Saturday’s bill due to a nagging knee injury, a lot is expected from Majoni, whose clash against Pemphero Nkhoma of Malawi is one of the major highlights of a bill that is being promoted by Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy.
Majoni is using this fight as part of preparations for a World Boxing Federation International Super flyweight title match against Gideon Buthelezi of South Africa in Cape Town on July 27.
The 25-year-old pugilist, who has a 9-1-0 record, was also in South Africa where boxers from Otto Boxing Club sparred against world champions, including International Boxing Organisation (IBO) World super flyweight champion Ricardo Majalika.
Majalika is a four-star boxer, who has 13 wins and two losses and is unbeaten in his last six fights.
Otto Boxing Club trainer, Ali “Otto” Phiri, also interacted with high-profile boxing coaches including Collen Nathan of HotBox Gym in Balfour, Johannesburg, which is regarded as the leading and strongest gym in South Africa.
Popularly known as “Nomakanjani” Nathan is one of the most respected boxing trainers and his management company — No Doubt Management — has links with some big names in boxing promotion like Bob Arum of Top Rank, as well Eddie Hearn and Frank Warren.
“At HotBox Gym they do sparring sessions for top boxers in South Africa and beyond.
“So, it was a huge learning experience for me and my boxers,” Phiri said.
“Interacting with Colin Nathan was an eye-opener, it opens the doors for our boxers, who can also get more opportunities.
“The target is to have our boxers fight at global boxing venues like MGM Grand Arena in the United States.”
“I learnt a lot in terms of training techniques, ring craft, and other key factors in boxing.
“We also now have a healthy relationship with Pound for Pound gym and we could see a lot of exchanges between us and them,” added Phiri.
The 26-year-old Makovora also shared his experience.
“In South Africa, they are really serious about the sport.
“Even the way they dress during training, tells you a lot about their commitment,” said Makovora.
He will fight Yusuf Ali of Malawi on Saturday, in a bill that is being promoted by the Manyuchi Boxing Academy.
“I think I am well prepared for Ali thanks to that trip to South Africa.
“I don’t think Ali will handle the pressure on Saturday.”
Boxers from DR Congo, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia are expected in Zimbabwe for the boxing tournament.
Rising Zimbabwean pugilist, Tatenda “Signature” Biningu, will also challenge for the WBF Intercontinental Super Flyweight title on the same night.
Bout Card:
Hillary Josamu (Zimbabwe) v Blessed Metazana (Malawi), Jeremiah Mhere v Snowden Munyanje (Malawi), Tinashe Majoni v Pemphero Nkhoma (Malawi), Evans Husayihwevhu (Zimbabwe) Mombela Mukuni (Zambia), Bongani Makorova (Zimbabwe) v Yusuf Ali (Malawi), Tinashe Mwadziwana (Zimbabwe) v Hollies Kazembe (Zambia), Clever Sithole (Zimbabwe) v Limbani Chikapa (Malawi), Jason Medi (DR Congo) v Abdul Njego (Uganda), Tatenda Biningu (Zimbabwe) v Sadik Momba (Tanzania).
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter