. Catherine Phiri

By HARBGUY MWAMBAZI –
ORIENTAL Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) manager Christopher Malunga yesterday left for Las Vegas, United States of America in search of quality pugilists to face World Boxing Council (WBC) champions, Catherine Phiri and Charles Manyuchi.
Catherine and Manyuchi recently retained their WBC titles after easily beating their opponents, Nonina Bukiwe of South Africa and Colombia’s Casseres Navarro, respectively.
The quality of Bukiwe and Navarro was condemned by many Zambian boxing enthusiasts.
In an apparent response to the critics, Malunga set-off for Las Vegas to find credible fighters to give Catherine and Manyuchi real tests.
During a Press briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Malunga said he was still flirting with the idea of attracting undefeated pound-for-pound World welterweight champion, Floyd Mayweather Jnr to face Manyuchi.
“I’ll be going to Las Vegas for the sole purpose of bidding for Catherine Phiri and Charles Manyuchi respectively, and want to get our athletes exposed on a more international level,” he said.
Malunga said a lot of hard work had gone into the training programme for the two boxers and that there was great need to keep them busy in readiness for future events by ensuring they faced top-class boxers outside Zambia.
He said the move to look for opportunities in Las Vegas was to help Catherine and Mayuchi also fight overseas.
“Catherine has been training hard, and you can see the desire she has when she steps in the ring for her training sessions, which is great, because we need to keep her and Charles in the best shape possible. Of course, they are very well aware of their environment but must also be ready to fight overseas outside the country”, he said.
Catherine, who holds the WBC silver bantamweight title, said she was itching to go for the main WBC championship.
“I am very much ready to go for the WBC gold, because I know that the people want me face tougher opponents, to become the best you have to beat the best”, she said.
Malunga also thanked the many sponsors who have been supported OQBP tournaments this year including the new sponsors coming on board.
On the 2015 boxing calendar, OQBP intends to line up three international title fights at Government Complex in Lusaka in March, July and December, respectively.