Majia suffers KO defeat in Pacquiao supporting bout

Tanzania’s Bantamweight boxer Fadhil Majia suffered a third-round knockout loss to Philippine’s Jerwin Ancajas in an international, non-title Super Flyweight bout in Macau, China yesterday.

The eight-round fight was among the supporting bouts for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Welterweight title fight pitting Philippine’s Manny Pacquiao against USA’s Chris Algieri.

The Pugilist Syndicate of Tanzania (PST) secretary general, Anthony Luta, whose body facilitated Majia’s trip to Macau, said the Tanzanian
boxer was sent down by his opponent’s counter-punch in the third round.

Luta said fighting in front of an audience all over the world might have put pressure on Majia and resulted to the loss.

“Majia was the first ever Tanzanian boxer to have landed the opportunity to take part in such a high profile fight…he, therefore, might have failed to handle the pressure accompanying the chance,” Luta said.

Luta said the knockout defeat was also the first for Majia outside Tanzania. The boxer’s record now stands at 15 victories (seven knockouts), six losses (two knockouts) and draw in four bouts.

“We selected Majia for the fight because of his impressive record. Unlike other Tanzanian boxers, he had never lost by knockout outside the country prior to the yesterday fight,” he said.

Majia was among four Tanzanian boxers that were previously shortlisted for the opportunity to take part in the bout. Others were Francis Miyeyusho, Sadick Momba and Mohamed Matumla.

Momba, however, was omitted from the list as he has secured chance to fight Ghanaian Emmanuel Agoye, in an international, non-title bout in Accra on December 5.

The winner of the Accra bout will then take part in the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Lightweight title fight against a German opponent in the latter’s backyard in February, next year.

“Miyeyusho, for instance, does not have a good record in fights outside Tanzania. He has always been losing by knockout and that is why we did not select him”, Luta said.