Hannock Phiri from Malawi did what he had set out to do, as he stopped Tanzanian Yona Segu to win the vacant World Boxing Federation (WBF) All Africa Lightweight title on Friday night, April 9, at Ubungo Plaza in Dar Es Salaam.
23-year-old “Hardknocker” Phiri had lost a title fight in Tanzania last September by split decision, a fight he felt he deserved to win, so he didn’t want to leave things in the hands of the judges this time.
As the fight entered the last third it was still very close on the cards, Phiri leading by one point on two and the third having it all even.
But the younger and fresher visitor was taking over the momentum of the fight and eventually floored Segu conclusively, forcing the stoppage from referee Pendo Njau at 0:48 of round nine.
The new WBF All Africa Champion improved his professional record to 11-2 (10), while Segu (30), a former holder of the title, drops to 19-11-2 (6).
Phiri vs. Segu headlined a card billed as “Fist of the Lions II”, promoted by Mapoa Entertainment and broadcast live by Azam TV.
