Tanzanian boxers take MAS Holdings Trophy

by Ranjan Anandappa

BOXING: Tanzania took away the MAS Holdings Challenge Trophy 2007 when they completely outboxed their counterparts in the inaugural Dual Boxing Meet concluded at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium Ring last evening.

Only Anuradha Ratnayake gave a spirited display when he took only ten seconds in the first round to knock out Rajabu Omary Mbwana with a right hook in the fly weight under 51 kgs category which earned him the best boxer's award.

Ratnayake made a welcome comback into competitive boxing after he was banned for two years when he was tested positive for taking a banned substance in 2005 at the Commonwealth Boxing Championship in Scotland. Out of the six bouts, Sri Lanka lost five and thanks to Ratnayake was able to save their blushes.

This is the inaugural boxing contest between the two countries and the first against an African nation.The meet is considered as a forerunner for the upcoming World Boxing Championship to be held in Chicago later this year.