Pro-boxing guru to train Class for WBF Light weight title fight
Tanzanian boxer Ibrahim Class (right) lands a punch on Zambian opponent Simon Ngoma during their fight staged at the PTA Hall in Dar es Salaam. Class won on points. photo | file
What you need to know:
- Kinyogoli was one of the top boxers in the country during his golden age. He won a silver medal in All Africa Games in 1973 and also featured in both the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games
Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s boxing coach guru, Habib “Master” Kinyogoli, has stepped in to train boxer Ibrahim “Class” Mgender ahead of his World Boxing Federation (WBF) lightweight title fight against Malawian pugilist Dennis Mwale on January 29 next year at Masaki’s Next Door Arena in Dar es Salaam.
Their fight has been organised by Jackson Group Sport and sanctioned by both WBF and Tanzania Professional Boxing Regulatory Commission (TPBRC). Kinyogoli was one the top boxers during his golden age as he won a silver medal in All Africa Games in 1973. He also featured in both the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth Games. Class said he has decided to start early preparations after learning that his opponent is tough and targets the belt.
He said his training with Kinyogoli will be held at the Amana gym in Ilala before starting residential training few days before the fight to be televised live by Azam Television, which is the main sponsor. He said he must be serious about training because one month left before stepping into the ring.
For his part, Jackson Group Sport CEO Kelvin Twissa said they have started preparations for the bout which will be the second for their company to organize. Twiss also requested sponsors to support the bout. He said the event would be spiced up by various undercards featuring local and foreign boxers. According to Twissa, the first of the supportive bouts will involve up-and-coming Tanzanian female boxer Stumai Muki and Revai Madongo of Zimbabwe. They are scheduled fight for six rounds in the flyweight category. Another bout will see Kenyan pugilist Rayon Okwiri exchange blows with Jimmy Mabundji from the DR Congo for eight rounds in the middleweight division.
Also, Shaaban Hamadi Jongo will take on Shawn Miller from the United States in a scheduled ten round cruiserweight bout.
The day will also see Nasibu Ramadhan fight Nkosinathi Biyana from South Africa in a featherweight bout scheduled for ten rounds.
Twissa said they expect exciting fights during the day, explaining that Tanzanian boxers are set to prove their worth against their opponents from different countries on the African Continent and beyond.
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By Majuto Omary@majutoy2k [email protected]
