Dust surrounding the result of the super welterweight title fight between newly-crowned champion, Kudakwache Banda, and deposed champion Chikondi Makawa is refusing to die.
Kudakwache defeated Makawa on unanimous points’ decision at M1 Centre Point in Lilongwe on Sunday to snatch the belt.
Judges Mbachichi Nyirenda, Elton Ndojime and Juliet Milole all scored in Kudakwache’s favour.
Makawa’s record dropped to four defeats, six wins and a draw, whereas Kudakwache maintained his unbeaten run to 11 wins straight wins, including eight knock-outs.
Kudakwache is a southpaw and is aged 22, whereas Makawa is 24.
Some pundits have argued that Kudakwache did not deserve the belt, but Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) has dismissed the criticism.
White Belt Boxing Promotions Managing Director, Vincent Panel, claimed that the result was doctored as some quarters wanted to preserve Kudakwache’s unbeaten run.
“In all fairness, Makawa did enough to defend the belt. I think it was a deliberate move to preserve Kudakwache’s record,” he said.
Unlicensed match-maker, Steve ‘Mawenzi’ Msiska, echoed the statements, saying the recently held World Boxing Council officiating clinic was a waste of time.
“The worst the judges could have done was to declare it a draw and Makawa could have retained the belt,” he said.
However, MPBCB President, Lonzoe ‘Defector’ Zimba, defended the result,
saying some pundits were not yet conversant with the rules.
“In this case, Makawa started strongly in the first two rounds, but then lost steam. He then dominated the last round. One thing that was clear is that he was landing heavy punches, but was rarely scoring more points. On the other hand, Kudakwache landed more punches. Even though his face was swollen, he won the fight because he landed more punches,” he said.
Kudakwache’s management team, New Dawn Boxing Promotions Managing Director, Mike Chimaliza, said they also want a rematch to prove their critics wrong.
“I think those that watched the fight without strings attached will agree with me that Kudakwache won because he landed more punches. Let me admit Makawa is a good boxer, but he lacked combinations to score more points,” he said.
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