How many of us remember the date October 18, 2005?
Very few of us do. The date, the moment is a now almost forgotten memory.
It was the day that legendary light heavyweight boxing icon Lottie Mwale died in Lusaka after a long battle with poor health.
On May 6 this year, ex-Commonwealth and Zambia featherweight champion Charm “Shuffle” Chiteule passed away at Kabwe General Hospital after suffering from Malaria.
Will that date in another 12 months also become a forgotten moment in time?
Chiteule, who was until his death Zambia Amateur Boxing Federation president following his election to the post last October, was put to rest at Old St Mary’s Cemetery in Kabwe on Friday, May 9 as his passing marked the end of an era.
He was 54.
Chiteule was the last surviving member of the 15-round masters from Zambia’s boxing golden age that spurned two decades from the mid 1970’s to the early 90’s
He joins fellow contemporaries in that big boxing ring in the sky led by the legendary Mwale, Chisanda Mutti and “Big Joe” Sichula.
Chiteule’s passing has left the nation without a living boxing legend in a decade and a half that has seen the solemn departure of the quartet who all enjoyed varying success in their professional boxing careers in Europe.
His professional fight record stood at 34 bouts broken down to 28 wins of which 13 were via knockouts, with 1 draw and 5 losses-2 of those defeats by way of knockdowns.
The highlight of Chiteule’s career came on May 5, 1980 in Lusaka when he won the Commonwealth title via a technical knockout over Dave Needham of the United Kingdom.
Two years later, he lost at home in his attempt at the Africa crown when he was defeated by Ghanaian boxing legend Azumah Nelson, retiring in the 10th round of the 15-round bout.
At the end of his career, Chiteule retreated to Kabwe going into business but was never very far away from the sweet science that brought him fame.
Chiteule was a constant figure present at most amateur and professional events around the country and also lent his hand as an official and organizer.
A respectable figure all-round, Chiteule was also the authoritative voice of boxing on TV and in print over the last 20 years.
His death should not be cue that his passing will become a forgotten memory in the sad manner it has affected Mwale’s troubled legacy and the other three late peers.
Meanwhile, in another 8 weeks time, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) begins construction of a multi-million Dollar Olympic for Hope Project just north of Independence Stadium in Lusaka
The centre will comprise over a dozen international standard sports facilities that will be used in part for Zambia’s hosting of the 2011 All-Africa Games.
One of the standout facilities that will be built there will be an International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) regional boxing training centre.
IOC director of International Cooperation and Development Thomas Sithole said Zambia was bestowed the honor as landlords of the AIBA regional training centre because of the country’s rich boxing heritage led by the golden quartet who were products of the amateur ranks.
The centre will be built, funded and managed by AIBA and will be the second only such amateur boxing facility in Africa after Tunisia centre.
It will be very befitting that the golden quartet’s memory be immortalized at the Lusaka AIBA Centre once it is completed as a lasting tribute to the men whose sacrifice in the square circle influenced Zambia’s selection for its location.