Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
TINASHE MAJONI’S boxing skills have never been doubted.
On a certain boxing night, at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare, he charmed Mabvuku-Tafara legislator Pedzai “Scott” Sakupwanya, an avid boxing follower and benefactor.
“That boy is deadly, he is a great boxer,” Sakupwanya would be heard commenting from the ringside, as Majoni dealt with Pemphero Nkoma of Malawi in a non-title fight held on July 24, 2024.
That victory set Majoni up for the vacant World Boxing Federation Super Flyweight All-Africa belt, which he won at the expense of Aubrey Masamba at the same venue on March 25, early this year. When he won the WBF belt, Majoni also improved his record to 11-1-0.
The 7 Arts Theatre has become a favourite hunting ground for Majoni who returns to the Avondale venue monthend.
Majoni will take on Moses Banda of Malawi in a non-title fight on August 31.
This bout has naturally become one of the major drawcards of a fight card that also has such big names as former Africa Boxing Union Lightweight champion, Aliyah “Lanso” Phiri and Hassan Milanzi.
Majoni’s fight will raise the curtain for a World Boxing Federation Bantamweight Africa title match between Zimbabwe’s Bongani Makorova and Musa Kananji of Malawi.
This will be Majoni’s first fight since he was crowned WBF Super Flyweight Africa champion.
“This fight is very important for me, even though it is not a title fight,” Majoni told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“To me it’s like a title fight because I am fighting to keep my record intact. I am a champion so I don’t have to lose.
“I am taking this fight more seriously than the one in which I won the WBF belt.
“I am fighting to prove I am worth better stages, better opportunities and better fights.
“I don’t want to keep fighting on these small stages,” added Majoni.
He is now a one-and-a-half-star boxer and could improve his rating by beating Banda. A victory against Banda would also boost Majoni’s morale ahead of a title defence fight in December.
Majoni’s trainer and manager Alli “Otto” Phiri revealed that the boxer was supposed to defend his WBF belt this August but financial constraints disturbed the arrangement.
“We are now planning for Majoni to defend his belt in December,” said Phiri.
“We didn’t get enough money for him to defend in August, but we are now using this fight to prepare him for December,” added Phiri.
Phiri’s boxing stable, Otto Boxing, is behind this boxing tournament which has been Dubbed “Rise of Champions 6.” Also fighting on the night are Arifonso Zvenyika Jr, who is the son of former Commonwealth champion, Tafadzwa Mushando, Fania Musekiwa, Mike Mukariri and Freeman Mabvongwe.
