Knock out

Catherine Phiri

By Brian Mulenga

People were shocked and upset Catherine Phiri ended that fight within 90 seconds. Well even the ZNBC commentators simply know nothing about fighting, boxing and human physiology.

Catherine stopped her opponent because she landed three punches in an area that would knock out anyone.

The punches landed just behind the ear on or around the mastoid area. Such a blow will send shockwaves through the inner ear and the brain.

The cochlea will get jarred causing the fluid inside to slosh around.

The result is instant nausea and loss of balance. The result is the same if you spin around several times.

Her opponent went staggering across the ring and into the ropes. She was totally disoriented. Actually she should have even been kept overnight in the hospital.

I have no doubt she vomited later on and has a headache right now.

Boxing is a hard dangerous sport. Anyone getting in the ring risks permanent injury and even death.

Heavy blows to the kidney area for instance can result in severe renal bruising and boxers who fight heavy body punchers will urinate blood for several days afterwards.

So don’t complain about the quick knockout. A long brutal fight can result in serious injury.

I remember a previous fight of Catherine’s where the opponent hammered her torso for the whole fight. I am sure Catherine suffered the same bruising and was in pain for days afterwards.