By SANDRA MWILA –

ORIENTAL Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) operations manager Chris Malunga has cautioned World Boxing Council (WBC) silver bantamweight champion, Catherine Phiri against underrating South African, Bukiwe Nonina when they clash this month in Lusaka.
Malunga said Catherine, the Zambian boxing heroine, needed not to underestimate Nonina’s challenge but take the November 22 bout set for the Government Complex serious.
He said in an interview that the defence title fights of Catherine and Charles Manyuchi against Nonina and Colombian David Navaro respectively, should aim to win the bouts as a dedication to the late President Michael Sata.
“Catherine and Charles should be physically and mentally prepared to defend their titles not only for themselves but also in honour of Sata who was a great leader,” Malunga said.
He also called on his boxers to be disciplined as they prepare for their fights if they were to emerge victorious.
“In sport, discipline is very cardinal and I am appealing to my boxers to remain disciplined and they should not underrate their opponent,” he said.
Malunga said the boxers were responding well to training and that he was optimistic they would take out their opponents.
“I have been checking on the boxers, they are doing very well and I am positive that come November 22 they will give their fans what they expect,” he said.
Malunga, however, said OQBP still a K273,000 deficit to host the much anticipated WBC defence title fights.
From the budget of K673,000,  OQBP has managed to raise K400,000 for the fight.
“We have managed to raise K400,000 and I am positive that before the fight we shall meet the budget because we do have pledges from companies,” Malunga said.
He added that foreign boxers and officials were expected in the country on November 18.