Mafia Boxing Promotion has unveiled Sparring Game, a special boxing event scheduled for February 15 at Magomeni Sokoni Hall in Dar es Salaam, marking the official build-up to the eighth season of Knockout ya Mama set for April 25.
Speaking to journalists in Dar es Salaam on February 10, 2026, Mafia Boxing Promotion Director Ally Zayumba said the event is a strategic launch aimed at preparing boxers and setting the tone for the upcoming flagship tournament.
Zayumba said preparations for the international bouts are in the final stages, with several foreign boxers having already signed contracts and expected to start arriving in the country from February 11.
He described Sparring Game as a crucial development platform for young and upcoming boxers, offering them a competitive stage to test their readiness ahead of Knockout ya Mama.
Performances in the February event, he said, will play a significant role in selecting fighters for the April 25 showdown.
“This time we are taking a different approach through Sparring Game. The focus is to polish our young boxers and prepare them for bigger challenges. The results and records from these fights will be used to motivate and assess them ahead of April 25,” Zayumba said.
He added that a panel of boxing experts will closely observe the bouts and provide technical evaluations, which will guide matchmaking and final selections for Knockout ya Mama Season Eight.
Mafia Boxing Promotion Coordinator and Head of Marketing, Omary Clayton, said all preparations are on track, with key infrastructure already in place to ensure the event runs smoothly.
Clayton called on boxing fans to turn up in large numbers, noting that gates will open early and entrance fees have been set at Sh5,000.
In the main bout, Richard Mtangi Duma will face Malawi’s Wilson Phiri, a contest Duma said he is approaching with renewed focus and confidence.
Duma, who previously fought Phiri during the seventh season, said the upcoming fight offers him a chance to demonstrate his growth and reaffirm his status.
“After our last fight, I worked on my weaknesses. This time I want to correct what happened and prove through action that I deserve to be the WBO champion in my weight category,” Duma said.
Other fights on the card will see Mchanja Yohana take on Zimbabwe’s Tinashe Majoni, Ibrahim Mafia battle Uganda’s Frank Kiwalabye, and Frank Shagembe square off against Nigeria’s Opladiran Alamu.
The programme will also feature Tano Juma against Uzbekistan’s Kamronbek Eshmatov, while Allan Kamote will face Denis Cituka from the Democratic Republic of Congo, adding an international flavour to the event.