Malawi’s Commonwealth lightweight champion Anisha Basheel has replaced compatriot Ruth Chisale as Sarah Achieng’s opponent for the Commonwealth light-welterweight title fight on 20th October at Charter Hall, Nairobi.
The Kenya Professional Boxing Commission secretary-general, Franklin Imbenzi, said owing to unavoidable circumstances, they have been forced to bring on board Basheel to contest for the vacant title against Kenya’s Achieng nicknamed The Angel of War.
“We apologise to the boxing fraternity for the abrupt change but everything is now confirmed for October 20,” said Imbenzi who is coordinating the fight.
Basheel (8-6, 8KOs) is a soldier with Malawi Defence Force and is also a former Africa Boxing Union lightweight champion.
She has sounded a warning to Achieng (13-2, 7KOs): “Sarah be prepared for a defeat, I am coming to Nairobi to pick my second Commonwealth belt.”
Achieng is unshaken by Basheel’s confidence.
“Let her do the talking, my fists will talk for me,” said Achieng, a member of Boxgirls which is a community-based organisation empowering the girl child through sports.
This will be Basheel’s third fight against a Kenyan opponent in Nairobi. She first TKO’d Joice Awino in 2017 and in 2019 TKO’d Consolata Musangi in the 9th round to clinch the inaugural Africa Boxing Union lightweight title at the Carnivore grounds.
The Malawian boxer is expected to land in Nairobi on 17th October accompanied by her manager and coach Clied Musonda, who is a former prominent Zimbabwean international boxer.