Defence boxers in pro boost

By MICHAEL MIYOBA ORIENTAL Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) operations Manager Christopher Malunga has hailed the Ministry of Defence for allowing amateur boxers from defence forces to fight professional boxing.

In a statement, Malunga said the move would further develop standards of boxing as a sport in Zambia.

Malunga, who has recruited Zambia Army boxer Barbra Banda to his stable, urged the military to continue supporting the growth of boxing in Zambia.

“I am extremely gratified for having allowed Barbra Banda, an officer in the Zambia Army, to fight as a professional boxer under our stables and also for extending this gesture to other boxers serving in the defence forces to ply their trade professionally under any stable of their choice, within the jurisdiction of the Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board.

“As a professional boxing stable, we are very humbled by this gesture which we believe will further develop boxing in Zambia,” he said.

He added: “As you may be aware, the Zambian Defence Forces have always played a major role in sports development in Zambia and to this end we would like to ask for their continued involvement and success.”

Malunga whose stable has produced international champions such as Catherine Phiri, Charles Manyuchi and Alfred Muwowo had indicated earlier that it was disheartening to see defence force boxers denied the opportunity to go professional with their boxing career.

He noted that it was discrimination of the worst kind to see defence force boxers denied the chance to go professional when footballers were allowed to go professional.

Malunga commended President Edgar Lungu who is the Commander in Chief of the Defence Forces, Minister of Defence Davis Mwila, the Zambia Army Commander, Lieutenant General Mihova and everyone who was involved in the deliberations and negotiations concerning the dilemma which surrounded amateur boxers serving in the Zambian Defence Forces.