Mwakinyo to battle for IBA Light Middleweight title

Talks between the IBA and the opponent to be unveiled for the bout,  scheduled for today, are in progress.

Mwakinyo- who initially was supposed to fight for the World Boxing Organization (WBO) world title but missed out on the chance due to a lack of competitive boxing bouts- now hopes to fight for the IBA title after the two parties reached an agreement.

Speaking in Dar es Salaam recently, the fight’s promoter, Ally Mndeme, said that until now the process of finding Mwakinyo's opponent from one of three African countries is going well.

He said that the task of finding Mwakinyo's opponent is handled by the IBA, seeking to bring a boxer who can successfully challenge Mwakinyo.

Mndeme pointed out: "We have reached a good stage in the preliminary preparations because a large part of this fight is in finding an opponent with the criteria to tussle with Mwakinyo."

"The responsibility is under IBA and, until now, they have told us that they are in contact with boxers from three countries," the promoter, who operates a promotion firm PAF Promotion Company Limited, said.

He also added that they have not been informed of the exact countries but they expect to find his opponent in Africa and it could be South Africa, Nigeria, or Namibia.

"In those three nations, one of them is possible and, if there will be another change regarding the opponent, they must tell us because we must be informed,” Mndeme disclosed.

Mwakinyo has taken part in 24 professional bouts in his career, with his record standing at 21 wins (13 Knockouts), and three losses- two of which were Knockout losses.

The charismatic boxer, alias 'Tornado', last fought against Congolese Mardochee Kuvesa Katembo in an international, non-title bout held in Dar es Salaam on April 23 and won by unanimous decision.

That was his second bout for over seven months since losing to British boxer, Liam Smith, in an international, non-title fight that took place in Liverpool, England on September 3 last year.