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The Herald, April 26, 1983 

TRAINER Dave Wellings may win the race against time to get all-Africa heavyweight champion Kilimanjaro ready for his title defence against Ghananian Joel Kalala on May 7. 

Wellings, who accepted the seemingly impossible task of trying to wipe out the effects of Kilimanjaro’s six-month lay-off in less than three weeks, said in Harare yesterday that the champion was training hard and making good progress. 

“I am pleased with his attitude of wanting to get down and train but it has been hard work,” he said. 

“Starting last week, he was very slow and overweight, but we have been concentrating on stamina and he is improving.” 

Kilimanjaro split with his manager, Dynamos soccer boss Job Kadengu early this month, and he told The Herald he would “go it alone”. 

However, with it drawing near to the time when he would have to make a title defence or be stripped off the crown by the African Boxing Union, Kilimanjaro approached Welling – who originally launched his professional career – and asked to re-join his old stable. 

Wellings now has just under a fortnight to prepare Kilimanjaro for the encounter with Kalala at Rufaro Stadium, but he is confident he can have the champion ready in time. 

“Kilimanjaro is still as strong as an ox and has been going 10 and 12 rounds with Kid Power and Flash Chisango,” he said. 

“But now we have to get back his speed and co-ordination, which has completely gone over the last six months.” 

Wellings is also happy with the confidence Kilimanjaro has in himself – “he believes no one can stop him”. 

But Kalala will be no pushover. He is the West African champion and has had a long and distinguished career as an amateur, winning medals at the Olympic, Commonwealth, and World Military Games. 

Kalala is reported to be the biggest professional heavyweight in Africa and he is certainly taller and heavier than his Zimbabwean opponent. 

Kalala means “giant” in Ghanaian. An orthodox boxer, Kalala has scored numerous knockouts and only narrowly missed winning the African crown against the African countryman Adamah Mensah, who lost the title to Kilimanjaro at Rufaro Stadium last September. 

Kalala met Mensah for the vacant title and was ahead on points when he dislocated his shoulder and had to retire in the 10th round. 

LESSONS FOR TODAY 

 In all things that we do, we need to have passion, determination and believe that we can achieve. 

Boxing is a sport that requires putting in a lot of hours training in the gym and support financially and morally. Female boxer Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire managed to win the women’s World Boxing Council championship belt when she beat her much fancied and well-resourced opponent Catherine Phiri in Zambia last month. Even as she prepares for her next fight, Chiwandire, who is arguably the most successful boxer in the country, is struggling to get enough financial support despite being on the cusp of another famous victory. 

When you are good at something it is difficult to take away that gift. Kilimanjaro was able to make a comeback after a six-month layoff.