Gilbert Munetsi - Zim Now Writer
The famed Rise of the Champions boxing series returns to Harare this Saturday night, lighting up the iconic 7 Arts Theatre with a fight card that underlines its status as Southern Africa’s premier boxing showcase.
Dubbed Rise of the Champions 6, the bill promoted by Otto Boxing Promotions blends local pride with international flavour, headlined by a continental title bout that has fans across the region buzzing.
Since its inception, Rise of the Champions has grown from a daring experiment - first staged at Borrowdale Race Course a couple of years back - into a proven launch pad for world-class fighters.
Zimbabwean standouts like Aliyah “Lantso” Phiri, Hassan “Starboy” Milanzi, Tinashe “Mr Jones” Majoni, and Freeman “Sekuru Gudo” Mabvongodze cut their teeth under its banner before breaking into the international scene.
Fast forward to 2025, the series is no longer just a domestic proving ground—it has become a continental magnet for talent, drawing fighters from Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to test themselves under the bright lights of Harare.
Saturday night’s centre-piece is a 12-round war for the WBF Africa Bantamweight Title, pitting Zimbabwe’s own Bongani Makovora against Malawi’s battle-hardened Musa Kananji. For Makovora, the title opportunity represents both validation and destiny, as he looks to cement his place among Africa’s elite bantamweights.
Kananji, however, is no stranger to championship nights as his reputation as a tough and unrelenting competitor makes this a classic Zimbabwe-Malawi rivalry that promises high drama and fireworks from the opening bell.
Promoter Ali “Otto” Phiri, the visionary behind the series, calls the bout “a potential fight of the year candidate.” He told Zim Now:
“When we started Rise of the Champions, our vision was simple: to give boxers a consistent, professional platform that could prepare them for the international stage. Looking back at the champions we’ve raised, this weekend feels like another turning point. Makovora and Kananji will deliver a fight that resonates far beyond Zimbabwe’s borders.”
And the supporting cast at Rise of the Champions 6 underscores the tournament’s widening horizons.
- International Lightweight (8 rounds): Zimbabwe’s Tafadzwa Mushando locks horns with Malawi’s Yohane Banda in what promises to be a fast-paced technical battle.
- International Super Flyweight (8 rounds): Rising star Tinashe Majoni, already carving a reputation as one to watch, meets Malawi’s Moses Banda in a cross-border clash of youth and ambition.
- International Welterweight (8 rounds): Zimbabwean power-puncher Mike Mukariri takes on Zambia’s Hillary Kataya, bringing Southern African bragging rights into the equation.
- International Super Bantamweight (8 rounds): Hassan Milanzi of Zimbabwe faces Tanzania’s Hamidu Kwata in a stylistic showdown of grit versus finesse.
- International Middleweight (8 rounds): Former Rise of the Champions graduate Freeman Mabvongodze returns to the theatre that built his name, meeting Malawi’s durable Charles Misanjo.
- International Lightweight (8 rounds): Zimbabwe’s Issa Aliya Phiri battles the Democratic Republic of Congo’s Jonathan Lotango in a contest that epitomizes the cross-continental pull of the series.
Local rivalries also add spice to the card, with a National Super Bantamweight Title fight between Shungu Kupani and Fania Musekwa scheduled for 12 rounds—a duel expected to ignite the partisan Harare crowd.
Beyond the action, the series is sustained by strong corporate partnerships. Companies across industries have invested in Otto Boxing’s vision, ensuring that boxers are properly catered for and fans enjoy world-class productions.
“Boxing is expensive to run,” Phiri acknowledges. “But we’ve been fortunate to have corporates who believe in our dream. Their backing means our fighters don’t just fight—they perform on a stage that mirrors the professionalism of the global circuit.”
As fight night approaches, anticipation runs high. The 7 Arts Theatre—a cultural landmark in Zimbabwe—will once again transform into a cauldron of noise, passion, and pugilistic drama. With tickets selling fast, fans are bracing for a night where heroes are crowned, reputations are built, and the legacy of Rise of the Champions grows deeper.
For Zimbabwe and Africa at large, Rise of the Champions 6 is more than just a boxing event. It is proof that the continent’s fight scene is alive, vibrant, and ready to command international attention—one punch, one rivalry, and one unforgettable night at a time.
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