Heartbreak for ‘Starboy’ Milanzi: Champion Strippe...

Heartbreak for ‘Starboy’ Milanzi: Champion Stripped of Title Days After Glory

Gilbert Munetsi - Zim Now Writer

Just days after being crowned Best Male Boxer of the Year, Zimbabwe’s boxing sensation Hassan “Starboy” Milanzi has suffered a stunning reversal of fortune — stripped of his World Boxing Federation (WBF) international bantamweight title following a surprise defeat in Namibia.

The WBF’s president, Howard Goldberg, confirmed the decision in a statement from Cape Town, citing the organization’s strict regulations after Milanzi's technical knockout loss to Fillipus "Energy" Nghitumbwa during a high-profile tournament held at the Windhoek Showgrounds. The event was part of celebrations honouring the legacy of former Namibian President Dr. Sam Nujoma.

Milanzi’s fall from grace came just hours after basking in national recognition. But his decision — or that of his camp — to take a high-stakes bout so soon after a title defense has left many in Zimbabwe’s boxing community scratching their heads.

“We were all shocked,” said one local coach on condition of anonymity. “He needed rest, not another war in the ring.”

The Namibian opponent, rated a formidable four-and-a-half-star fighter, proved too much for Milanzi, who also holds the African Boxing Union regional championship. The match ended in the second round, with “Starboy” unable to withstand the barrage.

His handlers had hoped the bold move would elevate him to continental superstardom. Instead, it has dealt a severe blow to his career trajectory.

Fighting on foreign soil in Windhoek — a venue where few Zimbabwean fighters have triumphed — only compounded the risk.

Goldberg expressed disappointment but remained open to helping Milanzi rebuild.

“His title is now vacant,” he told this publication. “We’ve spoken to his trainer Otto. I’ve advised him to go for the vacant international title in his next fight and defend it twice. If he can climb back into the BoxRec top 100, then we’ll talk again about bigger opportunities.”

But Goldberg also issued a stern warning about short-sighted decisions in pursuit of quick paydays.

“If he takes other fights and loses again, I’ll have to walk away,” Goldberg said. “I can't keep helping fighters who gamble their careers for R15,000 or a couple thousand U.S. dollars — only to get knocked out and lose everything.”

The WBF enforces a policy that automatically strips titleholders who lose under a rival sanctioning body. Milanzi is now the second Zimbabwean boxer in as many years to fall foul of this rule. Last year, Tatenda Biningu of the Charles Manyuchi Academy was also stripped of his title and has not fought since.

As for Milanzi, the once-skyrocketing star now faces a hard road back. The question remains: can “Starboy” rise again?