The Sunday Mail
THE latest postponement of Charles Manyuchi’s World Boxing Council International welterweight title defence fight against Mexican Silveiro Ortiz has raised fears that something might be wrong in the Zimbabwean boxer’s camp.
Manyuchi was scheduled to defend his crown on April 25 in Lusaka, Zambia but the bout has been cancelled – barely a month after his clash with Russian welterweight champion David Avenesyan was also called off. His Zambian promoters Oriental Quarries have advised that Manyuchi will now mandatorily defend his title in July against a yet to be confirmed opponent in Italy.
The talented Zimbabwean pugilist squares up against WBO Africa super lightweight champion Ibrahim Class of Tanzania in a non-title fight in Lusaka on May 2.
The same day that Manyuchi’s stable mate and Zambia’s female boxing icon Cathrene Phiri will fight 40-year-old Irish pugilist Christina McMahon for the vacant WBC gold bantamweight title. Circumstances surrounding the continued postponements of Manyuchi’s title defence have however raised eyebrows. Manyuchi’s prominence in Zambian media waned amid reports that the Zimbabwean is accused of stealing the limelight from “local heroes.” Others claim that Oriental Quarries’ shoe string budget “has forced them to concentrate on local boxer Phiri.”
The coincidence between the choice of the venue (Italy) and the fact that Manyuchi’s contract with Oriental Quarries is set to expire in October also raises more questions about the Zambians’ motives.
“His chances of winning in Italy are next to none, he has to win by a knock-out because usually when the match goes to points, it is the home boxer who has a slight edge. “It is like they want to throw him into the deep end, suddenly, Manyuchi is no longer in the picture. The Zambians are focusing on their own and it should tell you something about the marriage,” said a local boxing expert who refused to be named.
When contacted for comment, Oriental Quarries manager Christopher Malunga played down the allegations.
“Charles will fight a non-title fight over six rounds and defend his title on July 18th in Italy. “Let me call you, can I have your cell number?” Malunga responded last Wednesday. He never called back despite being availed with the number he had requested.
The latest developments also put into the limelight the deal proposed to the local boxing board by American promoter Edward Mendy, according to insiders he wanted to bring Manyuchi’s fights to Zimbabwe.
Talks between the board and Mendy have since stalled while Manyuchi, in an interview with The Sunday Mail during the week, seemed dejected. “Mahwani mukoma (it’s tight my brother),” was all Manyuchi could say.
Maybe his Whatsapp status “I will make them believe” is linked to issues bedevilling his career.
