By MICHAEL MIYOBA
ZAMBIA’s Professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter, Robert “The Black Tiger” Simbowe tipped amateur fighters taking part in the first ever MMA Zambia amateur league to use the opportunity to expose their talents.
Simbowe, who beat South Africa’s Given Majuba in his last fight at EFC Performance Institute in Johannesburg, South Africa to win the EFC lightweight fight said there is need for the upcoming fighters to sacrifice and work hard during the early stages of their careers to succeed.
He cautioned upcoming fighters against focusing on money in the early stages for them to make it big.
“The guys have to be true to themselves and just try their best to work hard because the amateur league will open doors for many youths because they will have something they can pursue as a career and who knows it can open the doors for them in terms of sponsorship,” Simbowe said.
“This is a good opportunity to get the exposure they need especially the venue that will host this is a big venue and in attendance will be a lot of officials from the government and the corporates, so my encouragement to them is to be more courageous with what they want in life and try their best to work hard,” he said.
Simbowe will be one of the guest appearances at the MMA Zambia amateur league scheduled for August 13 at the Lusaka Music Club.
The Black Tiger will be giving 20 lucky supporters signed merchandise and free tickets to the first ever Amateur League which has attracted both male and female fighters from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Angola and Namibia.
Meanwhile, Simbowe’s sponsors, M2Bio, a bio technology company specialized in treating mental health using the Canabis plant and Magic Mushrooms hailed the former street kid for being an inspiration to many youths.
M2Bio Chief Executive Officer, Jeff Robinson said he was proud of Simbowe who has proved to be a good person with a lot of potential.
Robinson who revealed his plans to come to Zambia with Simbowe for the MMA Zambia amateur league is hopeful that Simbowe would crash his opponent in his next fight after finding his grip following the beating of Majuba two weeks ago.
He said Simbowe’s trip to Zambia was crucial as it would motivate upcoming fighters who will be taking part in the inaugural MMA Zambia amateur league.
“It is very important to encourage the youth and that was one of the things that compelled us as M2Bio to clinch a deal to sponsor Rob.
“It wasn’t just about sponsoring a great fighter, it was about sponsoring a great educator, somebody who can take the wisdom that he learns through fighting and encourage the young ones that there are better things to do instead of crime,” Robinson said.
