. Phiri

By SANDRA MWILA   –
CATHERINE Phiri has warned her opponent, Bukiwe Nonina to expect a good beating on November 22, when the two fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver bantamweight title.
Speaking at a media briefing at Southern Sun in Lusaka yesterday where the Hotel unveiled its US$3,000 sponsorship towards the fight, Catherine said she has been training hard to maintain her unbeaten run and retain her title.
The Zambian heroine has gone 10 fights without testing defeat and wants to preserve the record when she faces Nonina, who has been the South African female champion for well over two years and has a record of six wins and two losses with two of her wins coming by way of knockout.
“I believe this time I am facing a tough opponent because Africans are very strong, but I am equally training very hard to maintain my unbeaten record of 10 fights. Let me warn her to prepare well because I am not giving up on my record,” she said.
Charles Manyuchi, who will defend his WBC welterweight belt against Colombian David Carcese, said he has quit his playful acts in the ring. Manyuchi said boxing fans should not worry about his playing acts in the ring because he was working on new tactics as he prepares to defend his belt.
“This time around I have changed my style of fighting, I will avoid my playful acts and concentrate on finishing the fight,” he said.
Meanwhile, Southern Sun sales and marketing manager Victoria Magnusson said the hotel remains committed towards supporting the development of boxing in the country.
“It is a great pleasure to be associated with sport and I wish all the boxers the best of luck in their various fights,” she said.
Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) manager Christopher Malunga hinted that about K263,000 will go towards the purse money for all the boxers from the K673,000 budget unveiled to successfully host the fights.
Malunga said the boxer’s purse money will be disclosed at an appropriate time after the boxers pass their medical examinations.
“As Oriental, we want to be transparent, after the boxers pass their medicals, we will announce the purse monies for all the boxers,” he said.
The supporting bouts will see former Under-20 boxer Alfed Muwowo make his debut as a professional when he fights Zimbabwe’s Anyway Katunga while Mbia Nkanku will exchange punches with Isaiah Chilufya.
Lolita Muzeya will take on Monalisa Sibanda of Zimbabwe with Pathias Chisenga squaring it out against Benard Mwango. Gibon Kamota will battle it out with Mombelela Mukuni.