South Africa-based boxer Dennis Mwale must this evening knockout Hannock ‘Hardknocker’ Phiri to win the Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) light welterweight title at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (Kuhes) Sports Complex in Blantyre.

The 33-year-old, fighting his first bout on home soil after 14 fights, will also see 20 percent of his cut given to his opponent.

The conditions have been meted out on Mwale as a compromise for not being within the required weight category a day before the fight, which is the headliner on the K60 million seven-bout Knockout Suicide bill.

During yesterday’s weigh-in session at the Sports Complex, Mwale weighed 65.8 kilogrammes (kg), which is over two kg heavier than Phiri. Their bout was supposed to be fought within the range of 63 and 64kg.

Mwale (L) and Phiri captured after the weigh-in session

“This is really a challenge, but not a big one because I already planned to beat Phiri by KO. I will punish him and that international belt is still coming to me. I will still be the king,” he said.

On his part, Phiri said he will take full advantage of the latest development to win the belt.

“However, I will not let complacency ruin my dream of winning the international belt. I am ready and well prepared to show him why I am called Hardknocker,” he said.

Kuhes Sports Complex general manager George Chitunga said everything is in place ahead of the bouts that have Samsara Group, Amaryllis Hotel, Chibuku Products, Kips Restaurant, AMG Global and Nep Sounds Band as corporate partners.

In supporting bouts, back-from-retirement female boxer Agnes Mtimaukanena will take on Tanzanian Lucy Macho while Mphatso Metauzu will square up against Tanzanian Sakim Ibrahim. Malawi Defence Force boxer Ruth Chisale will entertain Tanzanian Happy Daudi.

Clifford Antafu and Pakistani Rashid Mahammad battle it out in an eight-round lightweight.

Another fight will see Chikondi Makawa up against Samuel Tsaba of DR Congo as Bryson Gwayani dates Rigen Champion, a Congolese based at Dzaleka Refugee Camp.

The post Mwale challenged to win UBO bout by KO first appeared on The Nation Online.