Mukuka hangs on for narrow win

Alex Mukuka provided New Zealand with its first boxing win of the Games when he scored a narrow points victory over George Molwantwa of Botswana in their featherweight contest.

The bout was extremely hard-fought and close and every round was scored 29-28 on the judges’ cards.

The 26-year-old New Zealander had slightly the better of the first round, and with the next two being even, that was enough to earn him a 3-2 split decision.

Mukuka, born in Zambia but now based in Matamata, said he drew energy from the vocal crowd and was pleased with the way he fought.

“He fought the day before and I could feel he was confident. He came at me and wanted to take it off me, but I fought hard. I was very happy to get the result.”