SLOWLY, but surely, 2014 is grinding to its end in less than three months and most, if not all, boxing aficionados must be asking: what do we have on the table on the local and international boxing scene?
From October 23-30, international amateur boxing takes centre stage in Morocco for the International Boxing Association (AIBA) Kings Cup , a platform to showcase young talents from the continent by giving them the necessary exposure.
There can be no doubt that having under performed at the 2014 Glasgow Games, the Zambian contingent, which includes Commonwealth bronze medalist Ben Muziyo, will be looking to redeem themselves by winning worthwhile medals and put themselves in pole position for next year’s inaugural African Championships.
One hopes the Zambia Boxing Federation will secure broadcasting rights of this tournament for live screening to this part of Africa and Zambia in particular.
Other than the Kings Cup, the fight many were eagerly, or are still keenly, looking forward to is the long-awaited come-backing multi-division titlist, Esther Phiri’s elusive fight which should have taken place by now.
I don’t have the exact details about what washed out (pardon the expression) this important fight, but the last I heard about it were sketchy details about something having gone wrong with television broadcasting rights between the promoter Anthony Mwamba and Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC).
Esther’s return to the ring follows approval of her boxing licence by the Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board early this year.
What makes impending fight intriguing is that fans will want to see whether Esther is still as good as she once was before she hang up her gloves two years ago. I do hope this fight will see the light of day.
Having impressed in the first doubleheader World Boxing Council bill early this year, fans can only relish a repeat of that epic event as WBC silver bantamweight champion Catherine Phiri laces up her gloves to defend her title against South Africa champion Bukiwe Nonina, while WBC International light heavyweight champion Charles Manyuchi also stakes his title against Colombian David Carsese on November 22 at the New Government Complex in Lusaka.
Manyuchi took the then vacant International welterweight title via eighth round KO of Ghanian Patrick Allotey, while Catherine pipped German Pia Mazelanik via third round KO to win the WBC title.
I like the pre-fight hype coming from both Catherine and Manyuchi who predict to school their opponents in the sweet science.
Catherine struck the right chord when she observed that she needed to train extra hard as she was meeting a fellow African (“Africans are usually tough.”) She must have been thinking of Mazelanik whom she knocked out in round three for the WBC belt and tough Ugandan Toma Hawa Babrye whom she stopped in round eight.
For his part, Manyuchi will, reportedly, take himself more seriously in the next fight by discarding his comical, but crowd -pleasing style in which he sometimes scratches his opponent’s back with his glove before unleashing surprise vicious uppercuts.
In my previous writings on this great fighter, I have repeatedly pointed out that while playing to the gallery entertains fans, it’s always energy sapping. I’m glad to hear Manyuchi’s change of heart on this.
Bernard Hopkins, the oldest man in boxing history to win a world title at 49, turns 50 next January will fight Sergey Kovalev (25-0, KO23-1) on November 8 in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States.
The predictions have already started with some predicting Hopkins’ defeat by stoppage while others give him a chance to repeat what he does best and is used to-upsetting the odds.
But the former “Executioner” now self- monikered “The Alien”, continues to fight not without a good reason.
He’s beaten most of the youngsters-some half his age- instead of them doing so.
Hopkins has won his last three bouts, most recently snatching the WBA and IBA light heavyweight titles from Beibut Shumenov, a puncher 18 years his junior.
And then there’s another big one. Filipino boxing champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao , is reportedly already in great shape with still seven weeks to go before his November 23 welterweight title defense against American boxer Chris Algieri in Macau.
This is according to his strength and conditioning trainer, Justine Fortune, who arrived in General Santos City on Monday.
“As far as his condition, (is concerned), he’s in shape,” Fortune said, while overseeing Pacquiao’s training in General Santos City on Tuesday. “He always maintains good condition because of his basketball, and he’s always doing something.”
Fortune guaranteed that Pacquiao will be in “fantastic” condition for his bout against Algieri, which is important as the American is also in great shape.
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