Mandonga, Mbelwa to fight in a non-title bout in Ruangwa
Tanzania’s famous professional boxer Karim Mandonga (right) lands a punch on Said Mbelwa during their previous fight, which ended in a draw. PHOTO | FILE
What you need to know:
- The non-title, eight-round fight is scheduled to take place at Majaliwa Stadium in Ruangwa on the second day of Eid El Fitr celebrations.
Dar es Salaam. Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa will be the guest of honor at the highly anticipated Cruiserweight bout between renowned professional boxers Karim Mandonga and Said Mbelwa.
The non-title, eight-round fight is scheduled to take place at Majaliwa Stadium in Ruangwa on the second day of Eid El Fitr celebrations.
According to fight promoter Evarist “Mopao” Ernest, PM Majaliwa has already confirmed his attendance at the thrilling encounter, which will mark the third time these two fighters face off in the ring.
Mandonga and Mbelwa have previously fought twice, with Mandonga securing victory in one bout while the other ended in a draw.
"We know that Prime Minister Majaliwa is a passionate sports supporter, which is why we decided to bring this fight to Ruangwa. Additionally, the area has never hosted a professional boxing event before. We are calling on boxing fans and stakeholders to attend and witness this historic bout,” said Mopao.
The promoter added that the event will feature a total of 10 fights, with boxers from Dar es Salaam and Lindi Region participating.In preparation for the fight, Mandonga expressed confidence in his ability to secure another victory, revealing that he has developed a new signature punch, the "Ngumi Kaniki" (Black Punch), which he believes will guarantee his win.
"I’m really excited about this fight. I’ve developed a new, powerful punch called 'Ngumi Kaniki.' Whether he likes it or not, Mbelwa will get hit—there’s no escape," said Mandonga.
On his part, Mbelwa vowed to turn the tables this time, promising to defeat Mandonga and improve his record.
"I will knock him out early and leave him with a lasting injury," declared Mbelwa, emphasizing that he has been training intensively for the fight.
Apart from the Mandonga-Mbelwa showdown, another exciting match will feature Stumai Muki and Sophia Hamis in the flyweight division.
Mopao assured boxing fans that the event would be one of the most thrilling fights of the year, with top-tier matchups on the card. "This event is set to showcase some of the best boxing talent in Tanzania. We want to make it memorable for both the fighters and the fans," Mopao added.
With the presence of Prime Minister Majaliwa, the fight night is expected to draw significant attention, marking a historic moment for professional boxing in Ruangwa.
