Tadious Manyepo
THERE is chaos in boxing after records by local pugilists were removed from Boxrec, an authoritative record keeping system for boxers across the globe.
Issa Aliyah Phiri, who posted one of the most remarkable wins by a Zimbabwean in recent years, has been affected by the boob.
Phiri became the first fighter to stop Namibia’s Harry Simon at the Venue in Harare on June 14.
Phiri is not alone in this predicament.
Tinashe “Chairman” Mwadziwane, who beat Malawi’s Yobe Kamnyonyo to claim the WBF intercontinental lightweight title in Chivhu late in July has also suffered the same fate.
Even the legendary Charles Manyuchi, Collen Nyamambishi, Simon Madanhire and Revai Madondo have also been affected by the boob.
Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chairperson, Vee Chibanda, said her commission was following the issue up with Boxrec.
“The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (the Board) noted with concern that BoxRec, the widely recognised online boxing records database, has temporarily suspended Zimbabwean athletes’ fights on their platform.
“The board has engaged Boxrec on the issue and they have advised that there are some outstanding payments.
“The Board is now working with BoxRec to resolve the issue.
“We understand the importance of supporting and promoting our athletes, therefore, we assure the Zimbabwe boxing fraternity and community that the matter is under serious consideration and will be rectified soon.
“All Zimbabwean athletes’ fights will be fully and accurately reinstated on BoxRec accordingly.”
However, promoters seem to have lost confidence with the board.
“We suspect that all this is a result of the in-house squabbles within the board,” said one promoter.
“We are fully compliant with what the board demands us to do. We pay all the money that they ask for, even when we feel sometimes they will be abusing us. But they can’t stand for the boxers whom they claim to value. It’s very unfortunate”.