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Langton Nyakwenda

THE hype that has characterised the build-up to Friday’s African Boxing Union lightweight fight between defending champion Aliyah Phiri and Saidi Mkola of Tanzania reached another level yesterday after the challenger issued a stern warning to the Zimbabwean. 

Mkola, who is unbeaten in 10 professional fights, was boastful and taunted Phiri soon after he arrived at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport yesterday. 

He was accompanied by trainer and manager Amos Mukiza. 

“I am here to teach Aliyah Phiri real boxing,” declared Mkola, a 30-year-old boxer who hails from Dar es Salaam. 

The blockbuster fight will be staged at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare. 

Mkola is going into Friday’s fight as an underdog, against champion Phiri who won the ABU lightweight belt at the same venue on December 8, 2023.

The 23-year-old Phiri won via a second-round TKO against Israel “Money Machine” Kamwamba of Malawi. 

Phiri who is renowned for his powerful body jabs, was too hot for Kamwamba, whose corner threw in the towel early in the match. 

But Mkola is not scared he says he is in Harare for one mission. 

He wants to dethrone Phiri and become the new ABU lightweight champion. 

“I am ready to fight and I will show him (Phiri) that he is not a boxer,” warned Mkola. 

Taunting is usually reserved for the weigh-in but Mkola could not wait for Thursday as he is in a no-nonsense mood. 

“I am here to teach Aliyah Phiri real boxing. 

“He just uses power without skill,” said Mkola. 

His manager, Mukiza, believes the Tanzanian has a huge chance of causing an upset in Harare. 

“We are ready to fight and the boxer is ready,” said Mukiza. 

The Tanzanians have been watching Phiri’s previous fights and they believe the Zimbabwean will not be a problem in the ring. 

“We are here to box and not fight.

“We saw Phiri’s videos; he is not a boxer; he is a fighter,” added Mukiza

Mkola is a 30-year-old boxer with an eye-catching record of 9-0-1. 

He squares up against a vastly improved Phiri who now has seven wins in nine fights. 

At number 34 on the World Boxing Council ratings, Phiri is now the best-ranked African in the lightweight division. 

He is also now a three-star boxer according to renowned boxing record keepers Boxrec. 

Weight-in will be held in Harare on Thursday.