Kamote retains UBO belt

Dar es Salaam. Allan Kamote registered a technical knockout over Emilio Norfat to retain his lightweight Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) title on Saturday.

The fight, which took place at the National Indoor Stadium, left boxing fans on their toes before the Tanga-based boxer celebrated the win in the 10th round.

Kamote had expressed hopes of recording an easy victory on the eve of the fight, but found the going tough against hard-fighting Norfat.

Norfat, one of the fastest rising professional boxers, is a Tanzanian who resides in Kenya.

Kamote started the fight slowly with Norfat taking advantage of his height to score points.

The Tanga pugilist, however, regained his poise from the second round, cornering Norfat severally. Nevertheless, the latter was quick to get off the hook.

The duo were almost even until the sixth round with fans failing to predict the would-be winner of the fight.

However, Kamote, enjoying cheers from a crowd of his supporters, hit the top gear in the seventh round, launching a flurry of punches that slowed down his opponent. Thereafter, Kamote looked the better boxer and almost registered a knockout in the ninth round, but never-saying-die Norfat managed to survive once again. Norfat continued to lose steam and in the 10th round, Kamote assaulted him, prompting his ringside officials to call for the referee to end the fight.

Speaking after being declared the winner, Kamote said he was satisfied with his performance and promised to work harder in order to retain the belt.

“It was a tough fight. I didn’t expect him to go all these rounds, but I am delighted with what I have done today (Saturday) and I hope to take my game to another level,” said an ecstatic Kamote.

The Tanga fighter praised Norfat as a brilliant boxer and that he will go places.

“He is a very good boxer and I have to admit that he posed a threat to my chances of retaining the title. For sure, his performance beckons a bright future,” he said.

For his part, Norfat conceded defeat but apportioned blame on ringside officials for stopping the fight.

“It was a good fight; victory could have gone either side. However, I am not happy with my ringside officials for ending the fight,” he said.

“I was ready to continue, but I must respect the decision and I congratulate Kamote for winning.”

In other fights, Thomas Mashali beat Selemani Galile by knockout in the second round of their non-title bout while Ibrahim Tampa won on points against Abdalla Pazi. Ramadhan Shauri also recorded a point victory over James Onyango of Kenya while Tanga-based boxer, Saidi Mundi, did the same against Vincent Mbilinyi.