By Tendai Chisiri
It was a hive of activity at 7 Arts Theatre on Saturday as Zimbabwe boxers put up a splendid performance, knocking out their opponents in Harare.
The Rise of Champions boxing tournament showcased Zimbabwe’s strength in the boxing circles, with its fighters outmatching opponents from other countries on the continent.
Bongani “Captain” Makovora of Otto Boxing Club, with a record of 7 wins and 5 losses from 12 professional fights, outwitted Mussa Kananji of Malawi in the main event for the World Boxing Federation Bantamweight Africa title.
Makovora managed a technical knockout in the second round of the 12-round bout, knocking out Kananji to lift the Zimbabwe flag high. Kananji, from Real Fitness Gym and MMA Blantyre, had a record of 3 wins and 3 losses from 6 fights prior to the bout.
Makovora was left elated and promised more to come. “I’m thrilled to have won the title, and I’m looking forward to more victories in the future,” he said.
In other matches, DRC’s Jonathan Lotango defeated Aliya Phiri of Zimbabwe through a points difference in the International Lightweight match. Lotango, known as “The Snake” in the ring, came into the match with 5 wins from 5 professional matches. Phiri had a record of 14 wins and 2 losses from 16 fights prior to the match.
Zimbabwe won other titles through Freeman Mabvonge, who outclassed Charles Misanjo of Malawi through a technical knockout in the third round of the International Middleweight bout. Mike Mukariri also emerged victorious, upstaging his opponent Hillary Kataya of Zambia in the International Welterweight bout.
Additionally, Tinashe Majoni won through a technical knockout in the third round of the International Super Flyweight bout against Moses Banda of Malawi, while Tafadzwa Mushandi stopped Yohane Banda of Malawi in the International Lightweight bout with a points difference.
Other results are as follows
AFTERMATH OF RISE OF THE CHAMPIONS 6
RESULTS DASHBOARD
1. Featherweight (4 rounds)
Hilton Mugova (BST – Cape Town South Africa)
2. Bantamweight (6 rounds)
Alfonso Zvenyika Jnr (Otto Boxing Club)
3. International Lightweight (8 rounds)
Tafadzwa Mushando (ZIM)
Points Difference
4. National Super Bantamweight Title (12 rounds)
Shungu Kupani (Otto Boxing Club)
5. International Super Flyweight (8 rounds)
Tinashe Majoni (ZIM) (TKO-3rd)
6. International Welterweight (8 rounds)
Mike Mukariri (ZIM)
7. International Super Bantamweight (8 rounds)
(Scrapped from the fight card)
8. International Middleweight (8 rounds)
Freeman Mabvongwe (ZIM) (TKO Round 3)
9. International Lightweight (8 rounds)
Jonathan Lotango (DRC)
Point Difference
10. Main Event – WBF Bantamweight Africa Title (12 rounds)
Bongani Makovora (ZIM)
TKO (Round 2)
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