Starboy illuminates 7 Arts Theatre, bags WBF champ...

Starboy illuminates 7 Arts Theatre, bags WBF championship

Gilbert Munetsi

Hassan "Starboy" Milanzi last Saturday night put up a sterling performance to power himself to a third career title when he outclassed Malawian Clifford Antafu for the World Boxing Federation Africa lightweight championship.

The promotion, which draws the curtain to a rather lukewarm 2024 events calendar, was put together by Boxfit in conjunction with Otto Boxing at the latter's traditional home of boxing - 7 Arts Theatre - in Avondale, Harare.

The fairly-subscribed event was graced by Sports Deputy Minister Emily Jesaya who has proved quite supportive of the sports code of late, and Zimbabwe Olympic Committee president Thabani Gonye, among other high ranking dignitaries.

Prior to last Saturday's main drawcard contest, Milanzi held the Universal Boxing Union and the African Boxing Union SADC belts.

Buoyed by a sizeable and appreciative crowd that thronged the venue, the Otto Boxing pugilist dominated his opponent from the very first round, compelling him to throw in the towel in Round 5.

To say "Starboy was the better boxer of the night would be an understatement.

He literally ran riot and, like a shining star that he takes his moniker after, illuminated the ring to justify why he could arguably be qualified as the best pugilist on the local scene at the moment.

He was the more accurate on punches, provided a water-tight guard and proved a master of the duck.

And even before the match could reach the halfway mark, the writing was already on the wall as to who the gods would favour with the victory.

"Starboy" takes his pro boxing tally to W13-L3-D1, and becomes the sixth recipient of a WBF title after Charles Manyuchi, Tatenda Biningu, Brendon Denese, Tinashe Mwadziwana and Evans Husayihwevhu who have all been crowned under the growing sanctioning brand in Africa.

"I 'm inspired by the victory and with the guidance l continue getting from my management at Otto Boxing, the new title may be a signal of even better things to come.

"The year has been quite fruitful and as we go on a break for the feastive season, the expectation is to carry over the positive achievements into next year," said Milanzi after the verdict announcement.

Meanwhile, the main supporting bout, a Zimbabwe national bantamweight interim title match between Tinofadza Chikerema and Nyasha Whata lived to its billing.

Won by the latter on a UD points decision, the much-anticipated duel had fans on the edges of their seat all during its 12-round entirety.

The match, won by Whata, signalled the resumption of a noble and necessary project in which it is going to be mandatory for boxers to be champions of their respective divisions before they can vie for regional, continental and, ultimately, global title challenges.

Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chairperson Vee Chibanda told spectators in a speech delivered inside the ring there will be more national title events in 2025.

Evans Husavihwevhu of the Charles Manyuchi Academy was on a winning streak when he triumphed over Trinos Zihove of Masvingo's D1 Boxing while the heat proved excessive for Shumba Boxing's Hillary "Batman" Josamu who was knocked out by fired up Bongani "Captain" Makovora.