Ringside Report Remembers Lottie Mwale
By Jeffrey “Italian Medallion” Cellini
Lottie Mwale, 44-9, 34 KO’s, who was a challenger to the world light heavyweight throne in the 1980’s, faced the top fighters of his division for over a decade. Born in Wusakile, Zambia, Mwale not only defeated the best pugilists from Africa and Europe, but was an inspiring figure for the younger generation of up-and-coming fighters in his home country. Mwale turned professional in April 1977 under Scorpio Promotions, turning down a five-year contract in the United States saying he wanted to fight for the Commonwwealth and African titles before thinking of something bigger, and hoped to move from middleweight to heavyweight division.
On May 9, 1977, Lottie Mwale captured the Zambia light heavyweight title in only his second professional fight when he went up against Julius Luipa at the Woodlands Stadium. Mwale would win his first five bouts by knockout, before settling for a ten-round decision win against Bobby Lloyd in Oslo, Norway.
In a stunning upset, Mwale knocked out undefeated British middleweight prospect Tony Sibson in his seventh pro fight before a shocked audience at the De Montford Hall in Leicester, England. Sibson, who had entered the contest with twenty-four wins and one draw, was ambushed and stopped by the talented and ambitious Zambian in the very first round. Next stop, Mwale would once again shock the boxing community by pulling off another upset victory, this time against a young southpaw prospect by the name of Marvin Johnson. In Belgrade, Yugoslavia, “Gunduzani” handed the American only his second defeat in twenty-two fights by winning an eight-round points decision. Johnson would later go on and win the world light heavyweight championship three times during his career.
Mwale would continue to impress the boxing world by winning thirteen more fights in a row, eleven by knockout. Impressively, Lottie would register stoppage victories in five rounds or less in ten of those contests. One of his victims would include Gary Summerhays, who he would stop in the 5th round to claim the Commonwealth Light Heavyweight title from in Luaka, Zambia. Two of Mwale’s victories would also come on the road when he defeated both Bunny Johnson (W 12) and Jesse Burnett (W 10) at Wembley Stadium in London, England.
On November 28, 1980, undefeated Lottie Mwale would be given his crack at the WBC World Light Heavyweight championship against Matthew Saad Muhammad in San Diego, California. Unfortunately, Mwale would not live up to the challenge and would falter badly in his one attempt for the crown.
“I found out he couldn’t take a body punch,” said Muhammad, who brutalized the unbeaten No.1-ranked challenger before ending it at 2:25 of the fourth. It was his 15th straight victory, his 13th by knockout. Softened up by Muhammad’s body shots, Mwale, 26 years old at the time, was staggered by left hooks late in the third round and appeared to be out on his feet. But the bell rang before Muhammad could finish him off. “I thought I had him put away, but he survived,” said Muhammad. Following a right lead with a left hook, Muhammad, who entered the contest 28-2-3, 20 KO’s, sent Mwale crashing flat on his back in the fourth round. “It was good, clean and fast. I couldn’t miss. I’m not bragging, but I can hit,” said Muhammad.
Despite the setback, Lottie would rebound with two solid knockout victories in his next couple of outings. First, he stopped Louis Pergaud in the 5th round, followed by an 8th round knockout over Don Addison. Then, on July 5, 1982, Mwale defended his Commonwealth light heavyweight title by scoring a 13th round technical knockout over Chisanda Mutti.
On October 2,1982, Mwale, #1 ranked contender in the world, was granted another golden opportunity to showcase his talent when he was matched against former WBA World Light Heavyweight champion Eddie Mustafa Muhammad at the Showboat Hotel and Casino. However, Mwale’s shortcomings manifested itself (again) against a championship-caliber fighter. The 6-foot Zambian was a strong counterpunching boxer who sometimes remained stationary in front of his opponents and preferred to trade punches with his opponents. Unable to utilize his faster hands and arsenal of good punches, Mwale was incapable of matching Muhammad’s power and strength. Muhammad was able to catch Mwale with a big right hand midway through the fourth round. When Mwale tried to catch his mouthpiece and put it back into his mouth, the former champion landed a brutal left hook that crumbled the African to the canvas. “Gunduzani” was counted out at the 1:47 mark of the round by the referee, ending his hopes of another title shot in the future.
After the crushing loss, Mwale would string together ten victories in a row, with eight of those wins coming via knockout. Some of the marquee opponents that the Zambian defeated were Kid Power (KO 13), Mustafa Wasajja (TKO 3) and Chisanda Mutti (W 12). Unfortunately, Lottie would lose in his very next two fights to, with one coming versus an undefeated and future world champion Leslie Stewart (PTS 12).
On December 5,1987, Mwale defeated future cruiserweight champion Jeff Lampkin by ten-round decision in Germany. However, afterwards, Mwale would lose five of his next twelve fights, including the last two of his career. Lottie would be stopped by Lindell Holmes (KO 8) and future two-time light heavyweight champion Virgil “Quicksilver” Hill (KO 4). On April 2, 1994, Mwale failed in his second attempt to regain the Zambia light heavyweight title against Michael Chilambe in Lusaka.
Mwale finally hung up his gloves in 1994 but five years later, he would suffer from poor coordination of the limbs and was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Mwale then went through some hard times and ended up dependent on charity, donations from well- wishers and the Zambian government. After a 6-year battle with Parkinson’s Disease, Mwale died on 18 October 2005 in Lusaka.
Zambia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZPBWCB) chairperson Nelson Sapi described Mwale as a boxer who fought with patriotism and raised the Zambian flag high. Sapi said Lottie’s hard work and dedication laid the foundation for Zambia’s success in boxing. “We have talented boxers but at times lack the fighting spirit. They should take a leaf from Mwale who, even after losing, still rose up and trained harder,” he said. Mwale’s widow, Astridah, said her late husband went out of his way to put Zambia on the world map because at times he would fight every month.
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