Illegal blow knocks out reeling Botswana boxer

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Correspondent | Friday February 23, 2007 00:00

It was a baptism of fire for Botswana's oldest boxer in the regional tournament. Though he started boxing in 1990s, Mbangiwa was making his debut in the Zone VI event. Before he could get his bearings in the bout, he was down and out in less than two minutes after a three-punch combination from fellow soldier Mulenga. The Zambian first rattled Mbangiwa with a powerful punch to the hip. The blow appeared to have choked the Botswana fighter. As he stood motionless in pain, Mulenga followed up with a heavy left punch to the face to send Mbangiwa staggering to the canvas. The third punch was even more ruthless. With all his might, Mulenga released a killer punch to the back of the head that instantly finished off Mbangiwa. After video replays confirmed that an illegal blow knocked out the boxer, the Botswana Amateur Boxing Association (BABA) president Aldrian Tiyane said they would not lodge an appeal due to the high cost involved. 'It would cost us P1500, so a protest is out,' he said.

Speaking after the fight, Lesotho coach Fako Hakane wondered how the referee could allow such an illegal punch stand. 'He should have disqualified the Zambian boxer. That punch is definitely illegal. He beat him at the back of the head and that is not allowed. The referee should have seen it,' Hakane told Mmegi Sport. He said the fight was not the only disappointing thing about the referees on the day. He said he could not believe his eyes when referees awarded South African, Kwanele Zulu victory when it was clear that his Swaziland opponent was damaging him. He hoped that his boxer Mosolesa Tsie who is in the 75kg category meets Zulu in the next round.

'Tsie would definitely beat that South African guy because he only relies on power but has no technique,' he said. Lesotho has brought 10 boxers to the tournament and Haake revealed that two of them have been to Cuba and China for intensive training. 'The two we have sent there, we view them as gold material for the All Africa Games and the Olympics,' revealed Haake.

Meanwhile, Angola arrived late on Wednesday night for the tournament to find that two of their fighters had lost through walkovers to opponents from Botswana and Lesotho.