Malawi Professional Boxing Control Board (MPBCB) President Lonzoe ‘Defector’ Zimba has urged the boxing fraternity to accept referees as they make decisions based on a number of factors.
Zimba made the remarks amid concerns from boxers, corner men and some fans that other fights end prematurely because of referees’ decisions.
“We need to appreciate that boxing is a sport which follows specific rules to avoid exploitation. As such, referees are trained to protect boxers’ lives. Of course, anything can happen in boxing just like in any other sport.
“Lives can be lost or sustaining career ending injuries could happen as well. However, this should not happen out of referees’ negligence, incompetency or ignorance of the rules,” he said.
Zimba said referees were trained to protect boxers when in danger.
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ATTENDED WBC CONVENTION—Patsanja“We have decisions like when the referee stop contests. This happens in most contact sports where the referee prematurely ends a match because a fighter is unable to safely defend themselves, is outclassed, or is injured. The referee is the only person who stands close to the boxers in the ring and therefore, the right candidate to end the fight prematurely,” he said.
Zimba said in December 2025 he attended the World Boxing Council (WBC) Convention with prominent boxing referee Gift Patsanja in Bangkok, Thailand to gain more knowledge to share across local referees.
Recently, Patsanja underscored the significance of the WBC Convention describing it as an eye opener and huge platform for growth.