By SANDRA  MWILA –
KNOCK-OUT specialist Mbachi Kaonga lived up to his billing when he clobbered Gilbert Choombe to storm the finals of the national trials organised by the Zambia Amateur Boxing Federation.
It was an exciting bout that saw both boxers going punch-for-punch but eventually Kaonga’s lethal blows switched off Choombe in the second round of the fight at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka at the weekend.
Both Kaonga, a light-welterweight, and Choombe, a lightweight from Maamba, were part of the 2012 Zone Six winning team and also represented Zambia at the World Boxing Championships last year.
Mufulira light-flyweight Bwalya Lumbwe beat Mukena Matengo of Red Arrows into pulp, forcing the referee to step in and end the bout. Davies Banda of the Pavillon in Kabwe won a unanimous point decision over Arrows’ Dickson Banda in a middleweight contest.
Green Buffaloes’ Martin Chibela pounded Ben Sakutamba of Zambia National Service (ZNS) and the referee just had to intervene after the latter sustained an injury.
Hector Mutole of Buffaloes knocked out Katowa Hanziba of Mazabuka inside two rounds of an interesting light-welterweight bout.
ZNS lightweight boxer Elias Simukonda also advanced to the finals after wining on unanimous point decision over Mazabuka’s William Kanyanta and the case was the same in Steve Chama victory over Keagan Chanda.
Buffaloes’ Brain Mwabu lost to Goodwell Shamenda of ZNS as Dennis Kanyola beat Obed Mutapa on split points while bantamweight Christopher Katanga had a walkover against Steven Mumba of Lubengele.
In the women’s category, Julian Kasonka of Arrows beat Buffaloes’ Hildah Ngandwe in a bantamweight fight to win via a split point decision.
Melody Nyirongo clobbered Mirriam Daka as Sally Mumba got the better of Margaret Chanda, winning unanimously.