Mashali outpoints Iranian boxer to clinch UBO belt

Thomas Mashali.

What you need to know:

The exciting fight at the National Indoor Stadium saw Mashali register 115-113 points from judge Robert Kasiga as Aga Peter recorded 116-112 in favour of Mashali while the third judge Saidi Chaku awarded the Iranian a 115-113 win.

Dar es Salaam. Tanzania’s Thomas Mashali won the Universal Boxing Organisation (UBO) super middleweight world title after a split decision over Iranian boxer, Sajjad Mehrabi on Saturday.

The exciting fight at the National Indoor Stadium saw Mashali register 115-113 points from judge Robert Kasiga as Aga Peter recorded 116-112 in favour of Mashali while the third judge Saidi Chaku awarded the Iranian a 115-113 win.

Speaking after the fight, Mashali expressed delight over the victory, vowing to scale new heights.

“It was a tough fight, but in the end I managed to deliver what I promised. I am happy and I hope this win will spur me to more glory,” said Mashali, who is also the only local boxer to have beaten Francis Cheka in recent years