Confident Josamu eyes the ultimate US$20k prize at...

Confident Josamu eyes the ultimate US$20k prize at Africa Championships

Zim Now Writer
Zimbabwe’s national bantamweight champion Hillary Josamu Joel a.k.a “The Batman”, is among the African boxers excited and thrilled by the big prize money at stake in this year's Africa Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships scheduled for Yaounde, Cameroon, from July 25 to August 6.

“As boxers we’re very happy because it's the first time in Africa we’re having a tournament with such a huge amount of money to compete for.

“If you ask me, I’m of course aiming for the top prize money of 20,000 dollars. This is a big step forward for Africa, we thank the Africa Boxing Confederation for this inspiring move and I urge them to introduce more prize money tournaments.”

AFBC have dangled a total of $1 000 000 in prize money for the boxers, courtesy of the International Boxing Association. Gold medallists will pocket $20 000, silver $10 000 and $5 000 for the two bronze medallists.

Joel says with the knowledge he gained in Tashkent during the Men’s World Championships, he’s more confident now of positive results.

He was the most successful among the four Zimbabwean boxers who took part in the global event last month in Uzbekistan’s capital city, Tashkent.

Joel, who made his international debut in the World Championships, punched his way to pre-quarters, going down to Kyrgyzstan's third-seeded Sanzhai Seidekmatov who stopped him in 42 seconds of the second round.

“I learnt a lot in Tashkent. It was a useful experience for all of us and I will put this knowledge into good use in Yaounde.

“Every boxer that steps into the ring is a threat but with the experience I have from Tashkent I'm confident of a podium finish,” says Joel.

He started boxing in 2016, his first coach having been Alfonso Zvenyika, a former Zimbabwean Commonwealth flyweight champion.

“Now l am training at Shumba Boxing Academy under Wesley James Mcdade as my manager and Denver Wayne as my coach.

“I first represented the national team this year in Tashkent. Nationally I’ve so far won seven gold medals, five silvers and three bronze,” he said in an interview.