Phiri’s ABU title defence date set
HIGH-FLYING Africa Boxing Union welterweight champion Aliya “Lantso” Phiri faces a defining moment in his rising career when he defends the belt on March 29 at 7 Arts Theatre in Harare.
The 23-year-old will engage Tanzania’s Saidi Mkola aware that victory will qualify him to challenge for the World Boxing Council Africa title.
Phiri picked the ABU stripe after knocking out Malawi’s Israel “Money” Machine” Kamwamba inside 2 minutes and 48 seconds in their scheduled 12-round showdown in Harare last year.
It was the first time Phiri captured continental stripes and thrilled Zimbabweans, who witnessed an ABU fight being staged in the country for the first time ever.
But it is the defence that matters most for one of the most talented fighters to emerge in Zimbabwe as victory will pave the way for him to equal or even surpass the record set by iconic fighters like Charles Manyuchi and Kudakwashe Chiwandire.
After winning the ABU badge, Manyuchi went on to win the WBC silver title in a legendary feat celebrated across the Southern African region.
And should Phiri manage to stop Mkola, he will be on course to emulate or overtake Manyuchi given he will walk the same path.
But he is not thinking beyond the March 29 bout as he knows the task at hand won’t be as easy as the previous one.
Phiri, who is under the tutelage of renowned coach and brother Ali “Otto” Phiri, has already intensified his preparations ahead of the eagerly-awaited fight.
“We have already started intensive training ahead of this must-win fight. We are in the gym twice a week and so far so good,” said Phiri.
“It’s a matter of success and failure. I don’t like the latter and I am putting in everything to achieve the former.
“I don’t know much about my opponent but we are gathering a lot on his fighting style which we will sit down and analyse.
“I know the March 29 fight is career-defining and ought to be given the respect it deserves. I am going all out in search of victory because I know a win will leave me in a very good space in terms of my career as a professional boxer.
“I am working on everything to do with my boxing. I will be at home and I can’t afford to disappoint my fans.”
His coach Ali said preparations have begun in earnest and everything is moving smoothly.
“We have already started training after some weeks of rest. We have been running around as well to secure an opponent so we could defend our title. Mkola signed his contract yesterday (Tuesday) and it’s all systems go now,” said Ali.
“We are working out in the gym and everything is moving well. We are very optimistic that we will be able to defend our belt at home come March 29.
“So far everything is smooth. But we are also appealing to the corporate world to also chip in to help us prepare for the showdown”.
Ali, who is also the promoter of the fight through his Ali Otto Boxing Promotions, is currently working on logistics to put together the rest of the bout card.