EXCITEMENT is building ahead of the first ever African Boxing Union (ABU) fight to be staged in Zimbabwe this Friday.
Rising prospect Aliya Phiri takes on Israel “Money Machine” Kamwamba for the ABU lightweight title.
Both the belt and Phiri’s opponent are already in the country with all roads expected to lead to the 7 Arts Theatre in Harare on Friday.
Both boxers were bubbly during yesterday’s press briefing in Borrowdale with Kamwamba, who has a good record against Zimbabweans, stating clearly that he is not here for leisure.
Just last month, Kamwamba successfully wrestled the World Boxing Federation title from Evans Usayihwevhu in Chivhu and he will be hoping to repeat the feat against Phiri.
“Thank you very much for the welcome that I have received from Zimbabwe. I have been preparing for this ABU fight for a long time now.
“So what I can say is that I am more than ready for this fight. My nickname ‘Money Machine” was earned from winning not from losing,” said Kamwamba.
“I don’t have many words to say but I know Aliya is a good boxer, I am also a good boxer so come in your large numbers so that you can watch a good fight.”
Phiri, who is having his first shot at a title fight, promised to keep the belt in Zimbabwe.
“Let me first thank my team, my coach Ali “Otto” Phiri and my father. I have so much respect for my Malawian opponent who is a champion in Malawi. But he is the champion in Malawi not here,” said Phiri.
“I have been preparing for this day and night. I have been bleeding and I have been in tears and all I can say is that I am ready.
“I have already won this belt. I don’t know if you can see or believe it but I am going to win.”
Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board acting chief executive officer Priscilla Kadungure hailed the Government for supporting the hosting of this historic bout in this country.
“As the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, we are fully behind the ABU from where many champions from Africa have flourished,” she said.
“I congratulate these two boxers, Israel Kamwamba and Aliya Phiri who will be in the ring to battle it out for the ABU lightweight title this Friday.
“I would like to thank the Government through the Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture for rendering full support to the development of boxing in our country. I would like to urge sponsors to come on board to also support this sport.”
“I would also like to thank the president of the ABU, Houcine Houchi, for recognizing that Zimbabwe can host high profile fights. It is our hope that we will be considered to host more title fights in future.”
The staging of the first ABU title fight in Zimbabwe comes just over a year after the country hosted their first ever ABU Convention in July last year.
–herald.co.zw
