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Elvis ‘Bulawayo Bomber’ Moyo

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
SOUTH Africa-based Kalakoda Promotions has pledged to help the Zimbabwe National Boxing Control Board (ZNBCB) develop and market boxing globally following the successful hosting of its recent tournament in Harare.

Kalakoda Promotions in conjunction with Kwese Sport staged an eventful nine-bout boxing bill, which included two World Boxing Federation (WBF) African titles.

South Africa-based Zimbabwean heavyweight boxer Elvis Moyo reclaimed the continental heavyweight title after knocking out Bernard Adie of Kenya, while Harare-based Chamunorwa “Sting” Gonarenda won the WBF Africa cruiserweight title fight against Kamanji Ramadan of Tanzania.

Kalakoda Promotions director Steve Kalakoda said they were charmed by the warm reception they received and indicated they would return to Harare in January 2018 to stage another title fight.

He said they are also working on getting Zimbabwean boxers to compete at their monthly bills held across Africa and streamed live on Kwese Sport.

“We had a great tournament in Zimbabwe and we’re happy with how the event went. Zimbabwe is a safe place with great places and I think boxing can help promote tourism in the country. Zimbabwe is a great tourist destination and I was charmed by the venue (Harare International Conference Centre), which I think can host even bigger events,” said Kalakoda.

“We’re coming back to stage another bill in January where Elvis Moyo will defend his title. By then, it is our hope as Kalakoda Promotions that Zimbabwe will be having a number of boxers known to fans and we aim to do so by inviting Zimbabwean fighters to our  events. Hopefully, people will watch the fights on Kwese Sport or even the local broadcaster if they want the feed”.

He said two Zimbabwean boxers had secured slots to fight in a competition set for September 29 in Cape Town.

Kalakoda said plans are underway to have a couple of Zimbabwean boxers fighting in Ghana in October.

“Boxing can grow in Zimbabwe if there is exposure of their boxers and that is what Kalakoda Promotions intend to do. We want to continue working closely with the board and the Ministry of Sport and Recreation so that we collectively contribute to the development of the sport in Zimbabwe. Because of the beautiful HICC venue, we’re also contemplating bringing a WBF international title fight to Zimbabwe. We might stage about four competitions in Zimbabwe next year,” Kalakoda said.

The South African promoter has also facilitated for Moyo to fight in Manchester, England, on November 10.

Moyo will trade leather with British pugilist Adam Machaj.

@ZililoR