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Ricky Zililo Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S African Union Sports Council Region 5 Youth Games boxing assistant coach Stephen Masiyambumbi is confident that they will get a number of medals during the regional sporting event after seeing his pugilists in impressive form at last weekend’s Lobengula competition.
Four out of 18 boxers — Trade Nkomozabo, Dignity Ncube, Samson Masiyambumbi and Emmanuel Katsaruware — shortlisted for the December Games – participated at the Zimbabwe Amateur Boxing Association’s national championships held at Lobengula Hall. Nkomozabo of Masvingo won on points against Gwanda’s Shepherd Ndlovu in a flyweight bout while Katsaruware proved too strong for Ncube whom he beat in a bantamweight fight.
Samson fought Andile Ncube of Tshaka whom he beat on points in a tightly contested lightweight fight.
“It was good to see that boxers are in the right groove and by the time we come out of camp for the Games, I’m confident that our guys will do the country proud. Their movement and coordination of punches was good and there’re only a few things that we’ll have to perfect,” Masiyambumbi.
Three knockouts were registered at the national championships which were described as a success following a record 24 bouts, the best attendance so far for a Bulawayo Amateur Boxing Association tournament in 2014.
The event which drew boxers from around the country, also saw two bills ending after the referee stopped the bouts due to injury while the rest were decided on points. In the opening bill, Masvingo’s Petros Machokoto knocked out Simbarashe Mangwere in the second round of the light flyweight fight.
Trading leather in the lightweight division against Melody Jarabaza of Gweru, Tshaka Youth Centre’s Andile Ncube knocked out his opponent in the second round while Machokoto registered another knockout on Percy’s Steven Ndlovu in bout number 17.
“This was a good boxing weekend for Bulawayo and the support from the community was just resounding. This is the biggest tournament that we’ve held this year with over 40 boxers participating and giving memorable performances with knockouts and others being forced to retire,” said Ezwell Ndlovu, Baba vice-chairman.
He applauded Lobengula Boxing Club for staging a superb event. “As Baba we’re grateful to Lobengula Boxing Club for going out of their way to rope in Revival Motorways and the Bulawayo City Council which led to the success of the tournament.”
Matches that ended due to injuries were in the welterweight division — that of Gweru’s Prince Carter who pummelled Assurance Moyo of Lobengula as well as that of Peterson Machinjike of Masvingo who proved too powerful for Prince Masona.
Results
Bantamweight: Milton Moyo (Lobengula) won on points against Denzel Mpofu (HQ One Brigade), Ntando Dube (Percy) won on points against Joseph Simango (Gweru), Emmanuel Katsaruware (NKeta) won on points against Dignity Ncube (Gwanda), Hassam Milanzi (Gweru) won on points against Proclaim Takudzwa (Masvingo), Thenjiwe Foloma (Percy) won on points against Netsai Masiya (Masvingo), Everson Musimbidzi (Nkulumane) won on points against Sydney Baloyi (Zimbabwe National Army)
Lightweight: Andile Ncube (Tshaka) knocked out Melody Jaravaza (Tshaka), Everson Musambidzi (Nkulumane) won on points against Gift Ndlovu (Lobengula), Lancelot Moyo (Lobengula) won on points against Kudakwashe Hodo (Masvingo), Edison Mapheku (HQ One Brigade) won on points against Ndanetsi Nyamkondi (Zimbabwe National Army), Brandon Dennis (Masvingo) won on points against Lloyd Mujibilika (Gwanda), Samson Masiyambumbi (Nketa) on points against Andile Ncube (Tshaka)
Flyweight: Hubert Chitera (Lobengula) won on points against Waldman Razwane (Gwanda), Trade Nkomozabo (Masvingo) won on points against Shepherd Ndlovu (Gwanda)
Middleweight: Liberty Muwani (Gweru) won on points against Lee Ndlovu (Gwanda)
Catch weight: Assurance Moyo (Lobengula) won on points against Justice Nare (Nkulumane), Wiseman Tshuma (Lobengula) won on points against Tatenda Paradza (HQ One Brigade), Thandekile Sibanda (Percy) won on points against Kudzai Masuku (Gwanda)
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