By ADRIAN MWANZA –

THE Midlands Boxing Association (MABA) has introduced weekly boxing tournaments in a bid to raise the level of amateur boxing in the country.

Maba acting chairperson Christian Kalima said the regional body was alarmed with the recent slump the amateur ranks has hit but that MABA was determined to turn the tables with more activity this time around than before.

He said the weekly tournaments that will provide a lasting solution to the dwindling standards of the sport in the region, saw the first competition staged in Mazabuka, which pitted midlands teams against their Southern province counterparts.

Kalima added that the weekly tournaments would be used for talent identification as well as lifting the fitness and skill of the boxers so that only the best are picked for the national team.

“These tournaments will be used to improve the competence of the boxers who will be competing every week,” he said.

He said tournament will also keep the boxers in a competitive mood ahead of major tournaments both locally and internationally.

Kalima said the Mazabuka tournament was dedicated to female boxing ace Catherine Phiri on her convincing display that saw her dethrone Yazmin Rivas of Mexico for the World Boxing Council (WBC) bantamweight gold title in Mexico.

“The tournament which was held at Natasha Pleasure Resort was a success and it was done in honour of Catherine Phiri who had raised the country’s profile high on the world map,” he said.

He said a number of teams from Lusaka and Southern competed in the tournament which was also attended by area member of parliament Gary Nkombo.

He said the midlands clubs performed well and won 14 out of the 17 bouts on the day.

The MABA chief further said another tournament will take place at Club MK in Matero this weekend where boxers from Lusaka, Southern Province and the Copperbelt will square up.