By Tapiwa Chawagarira
KWEKWE — Zimbabwean female boxer Revai Killiana Madondo produced a dominant performance at the Trabablas 3 International Boxing Tournament in Kwekwe, stopping Malawi’s Chimwemwe Banda in the second round to capture the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) bantamweight title and the Trabablas bantamweight crown.
Madondo’s victory at the Kwekwe Sports Arena on Friday night was one of the highlights of an action-packed international boxing tournament that brought together fighters from Zimbabwe and several other African countries.
The veteran Zimbabwean, who is now under the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy, entered the contest with growing momentum after recording a technical knockout victory over Malawi’s Tamary Mtambalika in Lilongwe in July. The win took her professional record to 10-5-1 ahead of the Kwekwe assignment.
Against Banda, Madondo started aggressively, landing heavy body punches before bringing the contest to an end in the second round. Banda was unable to recover after being sent to the canvas, handing Madondo the international title victory.
The victory also fulfilled Madondo’s determination to make the most of the opportunity presented by Trabablas 3, having described the tournament ahead of the bout as an important platform for female boxers.
The Kwekwe tournament was promoted by former WBC Silver welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi through the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy. The third edition of the Trabablas series attracted boxers from across the region and formed part of the academy’s wider programme to promote professional boxing and create opportunities for local fighters.
Madondo was not the only Zimbabwean boxer to shine on the night.
Marlon Chivero won the World Boxing Federation (WBF) super-bantamweight belt after a second-round knockout victory over Malawi’s Moses Banda, while Zambia’s Mbachi Kaonga defeated Zimbabwe’s Freeman “Sekuru Gudo” Mabvongwe to claim the WBF super-middleweight title.
Former WBF featherweight champion Tatenda “Signature” Biningu also returned to action with a second-round knockout victory over Malawi’s Hollyce Kazembe, while WBF super-flyweight champion Tinashe “Mr Jones” Majoni impressed in his non-title bout against Malawi’s Sean Josephy. Tinashe Marume and John Andrew were among the other Zimbabwean boxers who recorded victories.
The tournament featured 18 bouts and was part of the Trabablas series’ expansion across Zimbabwe. The inaugural edition was held in Chivhu before the second instalment moved to Mutare, with Kwekwe becoming the latest host. Organisers have previously said their long-term ambition is to take the tournament to all 10 provinces.
The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board says its mandate includes developing, regulating, promoting and commercialising boxing and wrestling in the country, while registering and sanctioning boxers, officials, managers and promoters.
For Madondo, however, the Kwekwe triumph represents more than another victory on her record. She now holds two titles from a tournament that is increasingly providing a platform for Zimbabwean fighters to test themselves against regional opposition.
Her success has also added fresh momentum to the development of women’s professional boxing in Zimbabwe, with the Trabablas platform providing opportunities for female fighters to compete alongside their male counterparts.
The Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture has since congratulated Madondo and the other Zimbabwean boxers who competed in Kwekwe, praising their courage, skill and determination in representing the country.
