Leonard Masaiti
| Leonard Masaiti | |
|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Kid Miller |
| Nationality | Zambian |
| Born | Leonard Masaiti c. 1940s Fort Rosebery, Northern Rhodesia (now Mansa, Zambia) |
Leonard Masaiti, better known by his ring name Kid Miller, is a retired Zambian professional boxer who competed between 1962 and 1980. He is considered one of the pioneering figures in Zambian boxing and remains a symbol of early sporting talent in post-independence Zambia.
Early life
Masaiti was born in the 1940s in Fort Rosebery, now known as Mansa, Zambia. He later relocated to Lusaka, where he began his boxing career. He earned the nickname "Kid Miller" for his swift punches and tenacity in the ring.[1]
Boxing career
Masaiti turned professional in September 1962. Over an 18-year career, he fought in the lightweight and welterweight divisions. While many of his fights were undocumented, some records indicate he took part in approximately 49 professional contests.[2]
He was known for his discipline, orthodox stance and skill, which earned him respect in local and regional tournaments. His career spanned a pivotal era in Zambian sports history, shortly before and after the country’s independence in 1964.
Post-boxing life
After retiring in 1980, Masaiti struggled with financial hardship and faded from public memory. In recent years, his plight has drawn attention on social media platforms, where concerned Zambians expressed disappointment over his condition.[3]
A viral post in 2024 described him as “a forgotten sports hero living in destitution.”[4]
References
- ↑ BoxRec. "Leonard Masaiti (Kid Miller) Profile". Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ↑ BoxRec. "Fighters: Debuting 1960 to 1969 – Leonard Masaiti". Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ↑ Daily Revelation. "Once a formidable boxer, 83-year-old Leonard Masaiti also known as Kid Miller..." Facebook. Posted November 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
- ↑ Zambia Daily Mail. "In a heartbreaking tale of fallen fortunes, Kid Miller..." X (Twitter). November 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2025.
