World Boxing Federation (WBF) championship boxing returned to Tanzania on Friday night, November 13, as Jackson Group Promotions put on a double-header in front of a lively crowd at the Next Door Arena in Dar Es Salaam.
In the main event, WBF Intercontinental Super Welterweight Champion Hassan Mwakinyo retained his title for the first time with a convincing victory over Argentinian challenger Jose Carlos Paz, scoring a fourth round stoppage.
Mwakinyo was the aggressor and used his jab excellently, before dropping Paz twice in round four. Referee Eddie Marshall allowed Paz to continue after the second knock-down, but waved the fight off soon after to save him from taking further punishment.
Mwakinyo, who may now be in line to fight for the World Boxing Federation (WBF) World title against current champion Lasha Gurguliani from Georgia, improved his professional record to 18-2 (12), while Paz falls to 23-12-1 (13).
In the evenings co-feature, former WBC World Super Bantamweight ruler Fatuma Zarika from Kenya went up two weight-classes to capture the vacant WBF Women’s World Super Featherweight title, unanimously out-scoring Zimbabwean Patience Mastara.
Despite the clear victory on the scorecards, 97-93 from judge Anthony Ruta, 98-92 from judge Pendo Njau and 99-91 from judge Ibrahim Kamwe, it was not an easy fight for Zarika, as Mastara was tricky but faded in the second half as the Kenyan worked her out.
Along with becoming a two-time, and two-weight, world champion, Zarika took her pro ledger to 33-13-2 (17). Mastara, a former national champion of her country, drops to 7-7-3 (2).
