by Silas Boahene | Feb 27, 2024 | Africa, International, Soccer, World Cup
The Republic of Kenya has received a notable donation from the State of Qatar in the form of sports equipment used during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. HE Ambassador Mohammed bin Mutair Al Anazi of the State of Qatar officially handed over the sports equipment to a representative of the Kenyan government at the port of Mombasa.
The FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar marked a significant milestone in the history of both Qatar and the Arab world. Beyond the sporting achievements, the event has left a lasting legacy encompassing social, humanitarian, economic, and environmental aspects. Qatar’s commitment to sustainable planning and the positive impact of major events is evident in the standards set during the World Cup, ensuring a beneficial influence locally and internationally for years to come.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 27, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International, Nigeria
Former two-time heavyweight world champion Anthony Joshua, having faced formidable opponents in his career, recognizes the unique threat posed by MMA heavyweight legend Francis Ngannou. The scheduled bout between Joshua and Ngannou on March 8 in Saudi Arabia is gaining significant attention, with Joshua emphasizing the seriousness of the challenge.
While Ngannou is relatively new to professional boxing, his recent performance against Tyson Fury demonstrated his capability to surprise. Despite the close decision loss, many considered Ngannou’s showing against the undefeated WBC Heavyweight World Champion as impressive. Joshua, a Nigerian-born Brit, is determined not to underestimate Ngannou, learning from Fury’s experience and approaching the fight with utmost seriousness.
Despite having faced numerous challenges in the ring, Joshua views the upcoming bout as the “biggest challenge” of his life. He expresses his ambition to win and progress in his career, highlighting the boxing dynamics of “snakes and ladders”—where victory propels one upward and defeat brings a descent. Joshua’s focus is on securing a win against Ngannou to continue his pursuit of titles and glory in the heavyweight division.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 27, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International
Zimbabwean boxer Aliyah Phiri is poised to defend his African Boxing Union (ABU) lightweight title against Tanzanian challenger Saidi Mkola in Harare on March 22. The 23-year-old Phiri, having claimed the ABU title in December with a decisive second-round technical knockout over Israel “Money Machine” Kamwamba, is now eyeing the newly introduced World Boxing Council (WBC) Africa belt as the next step in his promising career.
Phiri, with a record of 7-2-0, is becoming a sought-after figure in African boxing. His camp is focused on securing victory over Mkola to position themselves for a shot at the prestigious WBC belts. Ali Phiri, Aliyah’s trainer and brother, expressed their determination to target the WBC titles and highlighted the significance of being the only Zimbabwean boxer with an ABU title.
Reflecting on the achievements of Charles Manyuchi, who transitioned from an African champion to a respected figure under the WBC, Ali Phiri emphasized the challenging journey and stressed the need for Aliyah to stay grounded and committed to hard work.
The upcoming title defense against Mkola, a 30-year-old Tanzanian boxer with nine wins and a single loss, serves as a crucial step in Aliyah Phiri’s pursuit of higher accolades in the boxing world. The camp is confident in Phiri’s determination and readiness to overcome this challenge and move closer to the coveted WBC titles.
by Silas Boahene | Feb 27, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, Nigeria
Ifeanyi Edembe, the Chief Executive Officer of One 2 Sports Promotions, has called upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to establish a conducive platform for the growth of boxing in the country. Edembe, who recently sponsored the successful “Judgement Day” boxing event in Lagos, emphasized the presence of untapped talents in Nigeria with the potential to become world champions.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Edembe expressed his happiness at entering the boxing scene and conveyed confidence in organizing international world title bouts in the near future. He highlighted the abundance of talents across the nation but lamented the insufficient number of promoters and sponsors actively discovering and nurturing young boxers.
Edembe asserted that government intervention is crucial to creating an enabling platform for the sport to host world-class events and international championships. He stated his commitment to investing his hard-earned funds in elevating boxing in Nigeria, aspiring to contribute as a promoter to take the sport to greater heights.
Title Suggestion: “Ifeanyi Edembe Advocates Government Support for Boxing Advancement in Nigeria”
by Silas Boahene | Feb 27, 2024 | Africa, Boxing, International
Kenneth Mamosadi, the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Boxing South Africa (BSA), fell victim to a tragic shooting incident outside his Pretoria home on Friday night. According to a brief statement from police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo, Mamosadi was shot around 10:45 pm in his driveway by two assailants who subsequently fled the scene in a white Renault.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the attackers approached Mamosadi, fired shots, and swiftly made their escape. The motive behind the killing remains unconfirmed at this early stage of the investigation.
The shocking incident occurred amidst efforts by Sports Minister Zizi Kodwa to bring stability to the beleaguered BSA. On the same Friday, Kodwa took measures to address the challenges within the organization by appointing acting CEO Mandla Ntlanganiso as the accounting authority. This move was aimed at ensuring the legal continuation of boxing-related activities.
The BSA has been grappling with internal turmoil, exacerbated by the absence of a board since December. A group of promoters had obtained a court interdict against the executive appointed by Kodwa, further complicating the governance of professional boxing in South Africa. The organization, responsible for overseeing professional boxing, had also faced financial difficulties under the previous board.
