Malawi has a rich history of boxing in its culture and has produced some of the best boxers in the world. The country has produced several world champions, including “Miracle” Isaac Chilemba and Isaac “Mafana” Kayira.
Malawi also has a number of promising up-and-coming boxers, such as Osgood Kayuni and Limbani Masamba, who are making a name for themselves on the international boxing scene.
In this article, we’ll be looking at some of the best boxing players in Malawi who have made their mark in the sport.
1. Isaac Chilemba
Miguel Isaac Chilemba Zuze is a highly accomplished professional boxer from Malawi. He achieved a notable success in 2010 and 2011 when he held the IBO super-middleweight title. In 2016, he went on to challenge for the WBA, IBF, and WBO light-heavyweight titles.
This marked a significant milestone in his boxing career, as he was able to elevate his status and compete with some of the best boxers in the world. Miguel Isaac Chilemba Zuze has been a professional boxer since 2006.
He has fought many times and won several titles, including the World Boxing Federation Intercontinental Light Heavyweight title in 2009. He was also awarded the IBO super-middleweight title in 2010 and held it until 2011.
In 2016, he made a big move and challenged for the WBA, IBF, and WBO light-heavyweight titles. This was a very difficult challenge, but he was able to put up a great fight. Miguel Isaac Chilemba Zuze has gained a lot of recognition for his accomplishments in the boxing world.
He is recognized as a Malawian professional boxer and has been featured in many magazines and newspapers.
He has also been invited to several boxing events, including the 2016 World Boxing Championships. Overall, Miguel Isaac Chilemba Zuze is a highly respected professional boxer from Malawi.
He has achieved a lot of success in his career and is considered one of the best boxers from his country. He has been able to elevate his status in the boxing world and is now competing against some of the best boxers in the world.
He is an inspiration to many and continues to be a role model for aspiring boxers from Malawi.
2. Tatu Chionga
Tatu Chionga is a Malawian athlete who competed in the sport of boxing. He was a lightweight boxer, meaning he was within the weight range of 135-139 lbs. Chionga represented his home country of Malawi at the 1972 Summer Olympic Games in Munich, Germany.
He was one of the few athletes from Malawi to ever compete in the Olympics and he was the first ever Malawian boxer to do so.
Chionga fought in the lightweight division and though he was unable to come away with a medal, his participation in the games was an important milestone for Malawi.
Chionga’s Olympic appearance was an important moment for Malawi, as it showed the world that Malawi could compete at the highest levels of sport. Chionga’s legacy in boxing and in Malawi will live on for many years to come.
3. Jungle Thangata
Jungle Thangata was a Malawian boxer who made history at the 1972 Summer Olympics. He was the first ever Malawian athlete to participate in the Olympic Games.
He competed in the men’s featherweight event and despite not winning a medal, his presence at the event was a major breakthrough for Malawian sports. Thangata was born in the 1960s in Malawi and started training in boxing from a young age.
He had a natural talent for the sport and quickly gained recognition and respect from his peers. In 1972, he earned the chance to represent his country on the world’s biggest stage.
This was a huge step both for Thangata and for Malawi. At the 1972 Summer Olympics, Thangata competed in the men’s featherweight event, which was a highly competitive division.
Unfortunately, he was unable to reach the podium, but his participation in the event was a major accomplishment. He put Malawi on the map and showed the world what the country’s athletes could do. Thangata’s legacy lives on.
He is remembered as a pioneer of Malawian sports and is a source of inspiration for many. His courage and determination to compete in the Olympics is a testament to the strength of his character and a reminder of what can be accomplished with hard work and dedication.
4. Solomon Kondowe
Solomon Kondowe is a professional boxer from Malawi. He is most notably known for competing in the men’s lightweight event at the 1984 Summer Olympics. This was a significant achievement for Kondowe, as it demonstrated his strength and skill as a boxer.
Kondowe was part of a group of athletes representing a small nation and his involvement was a great example of Malawi’s dedication to international competition. His participation in the 1984 Summer Olympics also helped to bring attention to Malawi and its athletes.
Even though Kondowe did not win a medal in the competition, he still stands as a symbol of Malawi’s commitment to sports. His involvement in the Olympics was a great accomplishment for him and for his nation.
5. Phillimon Ayesu
Phillimon Ayesu is a Malawian athlete who competed in the 1984 Summer Olympics. Ayesu competed in the men’s light welterweight event, which is a boxing weight class that generally includes boxers between the weights of 63.5 and 66.7 kilograms.
Ayesu was one of the few athletes to represent Malawi in the 1984 Olympic Games, and he showed great determination and skill in the competition. He was not able to earn a medal for his country, but his performance was nevertheless impressive.
Even though he was not able to win a medal, his participation in the Olympics was a great achievement for himself and his country.
Ayesu is an example of the strength and courage of the Malawian people, and his participation in the Olympic games is a testament to their spirit and determination.
6. Shekie Kongo
Shekie Kongo was an impressive figure in the sporting world of Malawi. He was a former boxer who competed in the light flyweight event at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.
His small stature of under five feet tall made him the smallest man in the boxing tournament, but his size did not prevent him from becoming a crowd favorite.
His skill and courage in the ring, despite his smaller stature, earned him the respect and admiration of those watching. Shekie Kongo’s accomplishments demonstrate that size does not always determine success.
His determination, athleticism and courage were all it took for him to make a lasting impression and become a successful athlete.
7. Fletcher Kapito
Fletcher Kapito is a Malawian former boxer who competed in the light middleweight event at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. He was the Malawian flag carrier in the opening ceremony of the Games, an honor held in high esteem.
Unfortunately, his Olympic dreams were dashed when he was defeated in the first round of his event by his Sudanese opponent, Augustino Marial. Despite his loss, Kapito’s involvement in the Olympics was an incredible honor and a testament to the strength of his sporting prowess.
He was a true representative of Malawian athletic excellence.
8. Drake Thadzi
Drake Thadzi is a former professional boxer from Malawi who had a successful career that lasted from 1984 to 1998. During his career, Drake challenged for the light heavyweight world title twice; once in 1995 and then again in 1998.
Before his professional career, Drake participated in the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles as an amateur boxer. He may not have won any medals at the Olympics, but his performance there certainly set him up for the professional career that would follow.
Drake is a great example of how talent and hard work combined can lead to great success. He proved that you don’t have to be an Olympic medalist to make it as a professional boxer. He is certainly an inspiration to athletes everywhere.
9. Peter Ayesu
Peter Ayesu is a former boxer from Malawi who was active in the flyweight division. He competed in the Summer Olympics in 1984 and 1988, and his highest finish was 5th place at the 1984 games.
This was a great achievement for Ayesu, considering that flyweight boxing is an extremely competitive weight class. Ayesu’s success is even more impressive when you consider that he competed against some of the best boxers in the world.
His impressive performance in the 1984 Olympics is a testament to his skill and determination as a boxer. Despite not winning a medal, Ayesu’s 5th place finish is still considered an impressive accomplishment.
After his Olympic career, Ayesu continued to box professionally and eventually retired in the early 1990s. He is now considered a boxing legend in his home country of Malawi.
10. Lyton Mphande
Lyton Levison Mphande is a former Malawian amateur boxer who competed at the lightweight and light-welterweight divisions. He had a remarkable amateur career, most notably receiving a bronze medal at the 1986 Commonwealth Games. Mphande also competed at the 1988 Summer Olympics.
He had an impressive run, defeating Jhapat Singh Bhujel of Nepal in the first round. However, he was unable to stand up to Anthony Mwamba of Zambia in the second round, leading to his elimination from the tournament.
In the end, Mphande finished in ninth place overall. Mphande’s accomplishments at the 1988 Summer Olympics and the 1986 Commonwealth Games are a testament to his impressive skill as a boxer.
His career as a Malawian boxer has been an inspiration to many, and his achievements continue to be remembered today.
11. Boston Simbeye
Boston Simbeye was a Malawian welterweight boxer who made his mark in the 1988 Summer Olympics. He was one of the few athletes from Malawi to compete in the Olympics at the time, making his presence felt despite his young age.
Simbeye competed against some of the world’s top welterweight boxers, and although he did not win any medals, he achieved a respectable thirty-third place finish in his event.
His performance was a great achievement for him and for Malawi, as it was the first time a Malawian boxer had competed in the Olympics.
Simbeye’s success at the Olympic Games has opened the door for more Malawian athletes to compete in the Olympics, and his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of Malawian athletes.
12. Evance Malenga
Evance Malenga is a former featherweight boxer from Malawi. He was an accomplished boxer in his time and made it all the way to the 1988 Summer Olympics. At the Olympics, Evance put on a good performance but wasn’t able to make it to the podium, instead finishing in 33rd place.
Evance was born in Malawi and started out his boxing career there. He went on to become a respected boxer in his home country, and his talent eventually caught the eye of the Malawian Olympic Committee.
His determination and hard work earned him a spot at the 1988 Summer Olympics, becoming the first boxer from Malawi to compete in the event. At the Olympics, Evance faced some of the best boxers from around the world.
Despite his best efforts, however, he wasn’t able to make it to the podium, instead finishing in 33rd place. Despite this, Evance’s performance at the Olympics was a great accomplishment for him and for Malawi, proving that hard work can take you far.
Evance Malenga is a great example of what can be achieved through determination and hard work. His performance at the 1988 Summer Olympics, although not resulting in a podium finish, was a great accomplishment and a huge step forward for Malawian boxing.
13. M’tendere Makalamba
M’tendere Makalamba was a professional athlete from Malawi. He was a light-middleweight boxer and represented Malawi at the 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul, South Korea. Although he did not win any medals, he finished in seventeenth place, a remarkable achievement.
He also had the honor of representing Malawi at the 1990 Commonwealth Games, where he competed in the middleweight category. Unfortunately, he lost his opening match to Michael Bell of New Zealand.
Despite this setback, M’tendere Makalamba is remembered as one of Malawi’s most successful athletes. He was an inspiration to many, and his hard work and dedication to the sport of boxing will not be forgotten.
14. John Elson Mkangala
John Elson Mkangala is a professional boxer from Malawi. He competed in the 1988 Summer Olympics, held in Seoul, South Korea. He was a lightweight boxer, competing in the lightweight division.
His performance in the Olympics was impressive, as he finished in seventeenth place out of the thousands of athletes who competed in the event. This makes him one of the top boxers in Malawi, and it is an accomplishment that he can be proud of.
Mkangala’s success is a testament to the hard work, dedication, and perseverance he has put in to become one of the top boxers in Malawi.
He has always been committed to working hard and striving for excellence, and this is something that has been rewarded with his placing in the Olympics.
It also reflects his commitment to his home country, as he is a great example of what Malawian athletes can achieve if they put in the effort and dedication. John Elson Mkangala is a true inspiration to all aspiring athletes from Malawi and beyond.
His success in the Olympics shows that anything is possible if you put your mind to it. He is a shining example of what can be achieved when you work hard and never give up.
15. Anisha Basheel
Anisha Dzombe Basheel is an esteemed Malawian professional boxer who has garnered a great deal of respect in the boxing world. She has held the highly coveted Commonwealth female lightweight title since 2018 and the ABU female super-featherweight title since 2017.
Her success speaks volumes about her passion and dedication to the sport. Basheel’s rise to fame began in 2017 when she won the ABU female super-featherweight title. This was a monumental moment for her, as she had worked hard to reach this level of success.
She then went on to further her success by winning the Commonwealth female lightweight title in 2018.
This was a huge achievement for Basheel, as she had shown the world that she was a force to be reckoned with in the boxing world. Basheer has continued to make a name for herself in the boxing world. She has become a role model for aspiring female boxers around the world.
Her commitment to the sport, her determination, and her sheer love for the sport have made her an icon.
Basheel has also used her fame to promote women’s rights, gender equality, and female empowerment. Basheel is a true inspiration and a testament to what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
She is a shining example of what can be accomplished when one puts their mind to it. Basheel is a symbol of courage, strength, and perseverance, and she will continue to be an inspiration to many.
Conclusion
The best boxers in Malawi are a testament to the country’s commitment to the sport and show that Malawi is capable of producing world-class athletes.
With the recent success of fighters like Isaac Chilemba, Charles Manyuchi, and Anisha Bashir, Malawi is on the rise in the boxing world. As the country continues to invest in its athletes, the future of boxing in Malawi looks even brighter.
