Manyuchi, Catherine opponents arrive

Meanwhile, Catherine Phiri’s opponent in the ABU vacant bantamweight title, Uganda’s Toma Hawa Babirye was expected to arrive later yesterday for the Saturday, September 28 fight set for the Mulungushi International Conference Centre (MICC).
Speaking on arrival at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport in Lusaka yesterday, Sowah said he had come to Zambia for a purpose which was to get the title from the current holder and not for anything else.
The ABU welterweight title is being defended by Manyuchi, the Zimbabwean boxer who is currently registered under Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP).
He said he planned to knock out his opponent in the seventh or eighth round because he wanted to entertain his fans before he could grab the bout.
“I have a duty to entertain my fans before I can think of winning myself the title, hence the need for me to mesmerise them in the first seven rounds and then ending it all, probably in the seventh or the eighth,” Sowah said.
And Sowah’s coach Percy Oblei said he had adequately prepared his boxer for the fight and expected nothing less than a win from him.
Oblei said any competition that one engaged in could only have three results – win, lose or draw, but his boxer would only settle for a win.
Meanwhile, former World Boxing Council (WBC) champion and group head of delegation, Azumah Nelson said Sowah was a dangerous boxer, hence the need for Manyuchi to be careful.
Professor Azumah, who is also OQBP’s special guest for the event is best remembered for knocking out late Zambian boxer Charm Shuffle Chiteule on February 28,1982 in the African and British Commonwealth title fight which he retained.
He said Africa was one continent and sport was only, but a unifying factor which knew no boarders and continents. Speaking in his welcoming remarks, Sports Deputy Minister Steven Masumba urged the visiting boxer to give his opponent some good competition and a clean game as the Zambian government will not allow any intimidations.
Masumba said Zambia was a very peaceful country where no intimidation took place because its people believed in having fair results out of every contest that they engaged in adding that the visitors had every reason to feel at home.
Masumba said competition in sport helps athletes to sharpen and improve their skills.
And WBC international secretary for the African region Nelson Sapi, assured the visitors of a good time as Zambians by nature were always friendly to the visitors.