Poor perks in boxing circles are forcing fighters to accept offers beyond their weight categories—and results are defeats.
This has come to light following Alick Gogodo’s first round technical knockout loss to Kenyan Maurice Okolla in a non-title heavyweight contest in Nairobi last month.
It was Gogodo’s second defeat in seven fights having won five bouts.
Boxing analyst, Steve Mawenzi Msiska, observed that Gogodo can make it big if he drops to either cruiserweight or light heavyweight category.
“There are fears that some boxers might end up ruining their records. It is important for a boxer to assess an offer before accepting it,” he said.
“For instance, Gogodo is fighting in the heavyweight category but he was supposed to be fighting in either cruiserweight or light heavyweight category.”
New Dawn Boxing Promotions Managing Director, Mike Chimaliza, shared similar statements.
“Gogodo is not a heavyweight boxer and he risks his life by fighting in that category. Gogodo is a cruiserweight boxer. He normally weighs around 92 kg and he can reduce it to cruiser weight. I have told him that and I remember Clyde Musonda telling him the same,” he said.
Chimaliza said heavyweight is unlimited and a boxer who fights under a lower weight category risks jeorpadiing their fighting career. Boxers such as Limbani Lano and Limbani Masamba also fight in other categories.
“In the upper weight categories, the power of the blow is proportional to body weight so it is always risky to pretend to be a heavyweight at around 92kgs,” he said.
On his return from the fight inNamibia, Gogodo promised to take heed of the advice.
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