Mbwana Matumla did not come all the way from Tanzania to lose to AJ Banal. ?It is not a question of whether I think I will win?I will win.? He vowed during the press conference held Wednesday morning at the Patio Isabel in Talamban, Cebu City. He has trained for two months for this bout. His trainer/manager Emanuel Mlundwa reminded members of the media of Matumla?s victories over Filipino boxers: Eric Barcelona by 12 round UD in 2006 for the vacant IBO superflyweight title and Joel Avila by 7th round KO for the vacant WBA intercontienetal superflyweight title in 2001.
When asked why Matumla is called ?The African Golden Boy?, Mlundwa replied that his fighter has excellent skills and is ?better than Oscar de la Hoya.? Mlundwa trains a large stable of boxers in Tanzania and was a former Olympian amateur boxer.
The 34 year old Matumla has been boxing since he was eleven years old. He is from the Tanzanian commercial capital of Dar-es-Salaam whose rough translation is Haven of Peace. He was at the ALA Gym at the Banilad Town Center Wednesday evening together with Morris Chule of Kenya and Hero Katili of Indonesia for a public workout. Matumla (18W ? 3L, 10 KO?s) went through a routine of skipping rope for 30 minutes before hitting the heavy bag and speedball.
ALA Promotions Pres. Michael Aldeguer said if Banal hurdles Matumla, he could find himself fighting in the under card of the highly publicized Mayweather vs. Marquez bout this July. Matumla, who lives near the Dar-es-Salaam International Airport in a district called Temeke, doesn?t have the same incentive. But he knows that all he has to do is win. Tanzania is a peaceful country but still impoverished. Poverty and hardship take on a whole new meaning once you have lived in Africa. A hungry fighter is always dangerous.
Together with my fellow VSO volunteer Rico Bastida, we chatted with them in rough Kiswahili which we learned after two years in their country. Rico was kind enough to assist us during the press conference. His Kiswahili was always better than mine. Both fighter and manager are English speakers but we thought it would be a good way to show our hospitality by showing them that we tried to learn their language and bring it back home. For those curious about volunteering in Africa, visit www.vsobahaginan.org.ph. -- With Teodorico Bastida.
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