Is Mandonga really planning to have two fights in a week?

Tanzanian popular boxer Karim ‘Mtu Kazi’ Mandonga might be well known for his extreme off-the-ring and crowd-pulling antics but could he be plotting a move to feature in two separate bouts and against a different pair of boxers in a week?

This comes after Tanzanian news platform The Citizen on Friday March 10 reported that the Tanzanian middleweight boxer had sealed a deal that would see him face off with Ugandan boxer Keneth Lukyamuzi at KICC in Nairobi, Kenya on March 25 - exactly a week before his highly anticipated rematch with Kenyan boxer Daniel Wanyonyi at the same venue.

In the report, Mandonga’s ‘first’ fight, which was allegedly secured by television company Multichoice, will be televised live on DStv and will be available for many Tanzanians through Maisha Magic Bomba Channel in the DStv Bomba package.

“I am ready for the fight,” Mandonga told The Citizen on Friday. “I call upon boxing fans to attend the fight and witness how I'm going to turn the Ugandan boxer into a punching bag. I urge the organizers to prepare a stretcher and get ready to send in doctors to provide first aid.”

Boxers also expected to take to the ring in the undercards are Kenya’s Nick Otieno and Plaxedus Oduwor alongside Tanzanian trio of George Bonabucha, Hassan Ndongo and Fatuma Yazidu.

However, in a fresh turnaround of events, Kenya Professional Boxing Commission Secretary General Frankline Imbenzi in contact with Mozzart Sport denied any official communication made to their end concerning the proposed March 25 fight and termed Mandonga’s engagement in a different fight from the already sanctioned one as a ‘breach of contract.'

“I've also seen that he [Mandonga] is taking part in another fight on social media,” Imbenzi said on Saturday afternoon. “As per the contract he signed with Solid Rock Promotions that we were privy to, he agreed to a rematch fight with Daniel Wanyonyi and the terms are there. We have not received any letter from them requesting to add up an extra bout and we have taken the initiative to question the developments of which they have not responded to us yet.

“Him taking part in a different fight that we are not aware about and a week before our sanctioned fight is unacceptable and will portray our organization badly.”

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In the April 1 fight weekend, Karim Mandonga is expected to follow up his January 17 sixth round stoppage win over Wanyonyi in the middle-weight rematch that will also be headlined by Kenyan popular boxers; Raymond Ochieng and Fatuma Zarika - who will be fighting for a WBF belt.

Asked about the possibility of the Mandonga-Wanyonyi fight proceeding, Imbenzi preferred to wait on the response from the Tanzanian Multichoice Group and give an official communication next week. He however believed that the fight would go on in accordance to the pre-set signed terms, with the full fight lineup being unveiled then.

KICC Tsavo Ball Room, Nairobi is expected to be the venue for the April 1 bouts.