Hardknocker seeks audience with President Chakwera: Malawian boxer is All Africa lightweight champion
The newly crowned Africa’s lightweight World Boxing Federation (WBF) champion, Hannock Phiri, has said he would want to have an audience with President Lazarus Chakwera at State House just as was the case with the Malawi National Football Team when it qualified for the Africa Cup of Nations.
he 22-year-old, popularly known as the ‘Hardknocker’, won the title after flooring a Tanzanian boxer, Jonas Segu, through a Technical Knock Out (TKO) in the 9th round on Friday night in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Speaking on arrival from Tanzania on Sunday, 23-year-old Phiri said he would want to present the belt that he won to the president at State House.
“It would be good to meet the president and drink water with him just as he did with the Flames when they qualified for the Afcon. This can be a morale booster as I strive to continue winning and defending important boxing belts for the good of the country,” Phiri said.
Meanwhile, the Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board says an amount of not less than 3 million Kwacha will be enough to stage a fight after three months in the country for Phiri to defend the belt.
Rules say after winning such a title, one has to defend it after three months from any challenger. President of the Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board, Lonzo Zimba, says it will be good for Phiri to defend the belt on home soil.
“A boxer has confidence and morale when fighting at home. We ask all well wishers to support the lad to prepare for that fight,” Zimba said.
Phiri asked for equipment for training and other forms of support.
“I need good equipment for my training like boxing boots and others. Diet too is an issue when you are preparing for such a fight. Because you need more of fruit juices and salads as opposed to rice and nsima. All these things need money,” explained Phiri.
The fight is supposed to take place in June or July.
lamba wawinayo ndalama ugulile ma juice ndi salad ukufunayo
Congrats Nfana. Pita konko nawenso ukatenge mita yako. Ajawa awinanso zothamanga ku Zambia aja akabwera nawonso ma mita akuwadikila,Especially that master girl anayamba ndikale kuwina koma samayamikilidwa
Akulu President Ali ndi zambiri zoti achite,,,ingopemphani ndalamazo basi.
Oky listen up broo!! There is a difference. This guy plays for the nation now. It this level where he is, he is now a flag carrier meaning Malawi government has to assist him. For example, we have football players in villages who play tonarments and earn something in the end. This players are self sponsored. These players after qualifying to play for Malawi national team, they no longer sponsor themselves but rather get sponsorship from Malawi government through ministry of Sports via FAM. Likewise this guys has risen to that level, he needs support from Malawi government through ministry… Read more »
Congrats man. The only good thing that comes from Mbayani. But Mr Writer ndiye mwati mfanayu ali ndi zaka zingati? His age keeps changing…. why?
That’s Africans for you.
Congratulations are in order young man. Koma zinazo mukufunsazo nde mbola..za chimidzimidzi.. zitayeni zilibe ntchito.. Inuyo keep on punching knocking hard on your opponents glory seems to be on your door step!!! zokumana ndi president nzachiyani? akakubarani akukhorani man!!!
How about just congratulating this fine young man. Congratulations!!!
Well done to the young man! When you say ‘professional’, that means you do that for a living. We have a lot of professionals out there like teachers, tailors, tyre fitters, the list is endless. These professionals work hard with no help at all, buy equipment etc etc. Why is it any sport as a profession in Malawi end up asking for help all the time from equipment to medical bills? Here is a man, who has just won two belts and he can’t even buy himself fighting boots. How much was this fight worth? There is a serious problem… Read more »
Inenso ndawina bawo dzulo, ndikufuna ndikumane ndi a Pulezidenti
Kikikikiiiiiii, koma abalee.