TANZANIAN REUNION
By Rene Bonsubre, Jr.
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 16 Mar 2011
It?s been two years since a Tanzanian boxer fought here in Cebu. I?ve been looking forward to conversing with Francis Miyeyusho and trainer Emmanuel Mlundwa. My Swahili was rusty, not that it was really that good to begin with. But it was workable and made me survive living in the town of Mtwara in the southern part of Tanzania as a volunteer physician.
Miyeyusho (29W-8L-2D, 17 KO?s) will be facing a tough task against defending WBO bantamweight champion AJ ?Bazooka? Banal (23W-1L-1D, 18 KO?s) of Ermita,Cebu City. The last time Mlundwa brought one of his boxers to fight here, Banal knocked out Mbwana Matumla in two rounds.
But Miyeyusho is unfazed and exudes the carefree and confident attitude I have come to appreciate after living in his country for two years.
?I trained for two months. I trained well and ready for this fight.? He said. Miyeyusho comes from Dar es Salaam, which roughly means House of Peace or Haven of Peace. It is the biggest city and commercial capital of Tanzania. He is based in the city?s Kinondoni district but he traces his roots to Mwanza.
I remember Mwanza very well. The picturesque place is on the shores of Lake Victoria and remains one of the most beautiful places I?ve seen on this planet. The boat ride across Lake Victoria as well as the visit to Saa Nane island and it?s wildlife were among the more pleasant memories that I brought back home.
Being a tourist in Cebu would be farthest from the mind of Mlundwa and Miyeyusho at the moment. But they vowed one thing. ?We will win. We?ll beat Banal on points.?
The weight will not be problem for him. Miyeyusho said he has done his roadwork. Trainer Mlundwa is a former Olympian and saw action during the 1980 Moscow Olympics.
Fans can size him up together with the other foreign fighters March 16 Wednesday afternoon at the Parkmall during the public workout of the foreign boxers to promote this Saturday?s PINOY PRIDE 4 fight card.
(Photo above ? Left to right, Mlundwa, the author and Miyeyusho)
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Rene Bonsubre, Jr..
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