Gilbert Munetsi
Issa Aliyah Phiri (W6-L2-D0) reckons he will make history by becoming only the fourth Zimbabwean professional pugilist to bag an African Boxing Union title.
The 23-year-old prodigy - who hails from the Otto Boxing Academy - today declared the forthcoming ABU lightweight fixture against Malawian Israel “Money Machine” Kamwamba as just but a formality.
“I’m already the champion. I’m just waiting to be crowned!”, he bellowed to the house at a presser convened to officially announce the December 8 boxing bill dubbed “Rise of the Champions 3.”
He was flanked by his trainer-father, Issa Phiri Snr, with the green, black and gold to-be-fought-for belt on display at the top table.
His optimistic sentiments were echoed by stable manager Takudzwa Muringi who said while their mandate was to create a legacy of changing lives, they were confident they would "not only make The Rise of Champions much bigger and better this year, but to also bestow a champion effective December 8, 2023.”
The nine-bout card is penciled in for 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, just a stone’s throw away from his training gym at the Body Active Gym, Borrowdale Race Course.
And it is being promoted by his stable, Otto Boxing, being financially bankrolled by principal sponsor Lindsay Earle in her personal capacity, and a couple of other corporates.
Phiri can be forgiven for being this over-confident.
Just four months ago at The Venue in Avondale, he subjected Namibia’s Harry Simon Jnr to his first ever defeat in 20 professional fights, a development that has yet to sink with the latter’s camp that they have opted for a legal route to have the verdict overturned.
And before that in February 2022 at the New Government Complex in Zambia, Phiri also outclassed that country’s Mombela Mukuni in a contest the local judges robbed him of victory, much to the ire of ABU president Houchin Houicine who was present on the day.
The African boxing chief demanded then that Phiri be given a shot at an ABU title and, fast-forward a year and nine months, the Zimbabwean takes part in a match that will give him a ranking to contest for a World Boxing Council championship.
There have only been three predecessors who have been able to etch their names in the ABU books.
The late Stix Mcloud was the first Zimbabwean to win a title under the continental sanction body on July 3, 1982 in the bantamweight division. He, however, could not defend it successfully.
Then, two months later and like lightning in summer, came Proud “Kilimanjaro” Chinembiri (may his soul also rest in peace) who won an ABU in the heavyweight division and managed to hold on to it a record six times before letting it slip. He was to reclaim it after six years.
The last holder of an ABU title was none other than Charles Manyuchi who in 2013 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, defeated Patrice Sou Toke in front of his home crowd to write an own piece of history.
Carrying the moniker “Lantso,” Aliyah headlines a card that has all the makings of a thriller event comprising eight supporting bouts, three of which are international non-title contests and one a ladies’ affair. According to an itinerary availed by his handlers, plans are afoot for him and his trainers to go into a nine-day camp in Cape Town, SA, courtesy of Earle. The aim is to expose him to a wider range of sparring partners and better facilities so he may return home a more polished contender.
On the other hand, a glance at the record of his opponent – Kamwamba – shows the Malawian is no walkover as he recently invaded the lion’s den and managed to snatch a cub.
An orthodox by stance, Kamwamba is still riding on cloud nine after having accounted for Zimbabwe’s Evans Husavihwevhu in Chivhu last July to wrestle from him his World Boxing Federation lightweight title. Logistical challenges affected his travel to Harare this week to be present for the tournament's official launch, but word from “The Warm Heart of Africa” is to the effect that he is busy with preparations.
Nick-named “Money Machine," with 13 wins (8 of them by KO); 10 loses and a single draw to his name, he is a veteran pugilist who has tested many-a-foreign ring and boxed with some of the region’s best in countries that include South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Namibia.
Going on to win the December 8 debacle gives him reprieve, as his last bid at it against South Africa's Xolisani Ndongeni in 2021 was a futile attempt.
Meanwhile, as professional boxing has domestically experienced a rather barren spell with no event held from the beginning of the year until July, Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board’s Programmes Manager, Moreways Changa, says they anticipate a new shift from next year.
“We never had a platform when we sat down with the local promoters to agree on how best we can have a calendar for the whole year.
“So, this year as we wrap up, we’re going to engage all our registered promoters to come with a schedule so that we have more tournaments spread out through the year… that’s the only way we can improve the performance of our boxers,” he said at the press conference.
In response to concerns from some quarters that the board’s requirements with regards sanctioning of tournaments were rather restrictive, Changa said there were minimum statutory needs of a promoter that his office cannot overlook.
“But there is no way the board will deny any serious promoter a chance to host an event because that is where the growth and expansion of boxing is premised.
“Any aggrieved parties are free to engage us so that we can discuss sticking issues so that at the end of the day it’s the sport of boxing that becomes the ultimate winner,” he said.
Rise of Champions3 rest of bout card:
1. Shungu Kupani vs Everson Musambudzi
4 rounds. s/feather
2. Blessed Tagwirei vs Lawrence Chiyangwa
4 rounds middleweight
3. Mike Mukariri vs Tendai Avonie
4 rounds welterweight
4. Tinashe Majoni (Zim) vs Bilal Alexander (Malawi)
8 rounds. S/flyweight
5. Terrence Muronda vs Collen Zidumbu
6 rounds light welterweight.
6. Evans Husayihwevhu (zim) vs Alexander Likande (Malawi)
6 rounds
7. Anesu Motsi vs Emmanuel Chikashe
4 rounds heavyweight
8. Happiness Sakambuyi vs Pauline Dzimati
4 rounds middleweight GIRLS
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