Judges declare Lano, Temfuna bout a draw
The eight-round international cruiserweight non-title bout involving Malawi’s Limbani Lano and Anosi Temfuna from Zambia ended in controversy after being declared a draw by Malawian judges.
The bout, which was staged at M1 Centre Point in Lilongwe lasted all the eight rounds but with many tipping the Zambian boxer for a win, local judges declared it a draw.
The judges determination did not go down well with some local fans, who openly opposed the decision, claiming the Zambian was robbed of victory.
Temfuna and his trainer Anthony Mwamba also accused the judges of favouring the local boxer.
“You cannot declare a bout a draw, when one of the boxers was clearly on the receiving end and fell down in one of the rounds,” said Mwamba.
True to the sentiments from the Zambian camp, Temfuna appeared to have enough to win the bought after flooring Lano in the last round.
For some seconds, Malawian boxer appeared to have gone to the dreamland until he was told to wake up by his trainer.
He managed to beat the count and resume with the contest.
Though both boxers rarely hit the target, the Zambian looked more stable and always charged forward as opposed to the opponent, who kept retreating.
Lano said he was satisfied with the judges decision, describing the punch that sent him to the canvas as just a lucky punch.
“If a boxet falls down, it does not mean he has lost the bouts. I had my moments and he also had his moments and that was just a lucky punch,” said Lano.
Director of Glasasi Building and Civil Engineering Contractors Gladson Yohane, whose firm sponsored the bout said he was satisfied with the way things went.
“I am very satisfied with the way things have gone. The fans turn up was excellent and all the boxers displayed good skills, which is what we were looking for as sponsors.
“As for the main bout, people can say whatever they want but the judges have the final say. There are a lot of things that the judges consider in a bout, which a layman like me cannot see,” said Yohane.
In the main supporting bout, Malani Kayuni had an easy ride over Ringman Mwakwinja, whom he knocked out in round three.
Initially, Kayuni was scheduled to meet Jobson Adams but the veteran boxer twisted his neck during training.
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