The Sunday Mail
HIS six-month old son Floyd, named after American boxing great Floyd Mayweather, sat on his mother’s lap by the ringside as the boxing “Chairman” ruled the ring once again. The 29-year-old Tinashe “Chairman” Madziwana is the new Zimbabwe super bantamweight champion, following a five-round victory over Ronald Tamani at the Kalakoda Kwese Fight Night tournament held at the City Sports last weekend.
It has been a long journey for Madziwana who made his debut as a 16-year-old back in 2006 and the Mbare-bred star now feels an international title is long overdue.
“We will sit down with my handlers, discuss the future but I feel I am ready to challenge for the African Boxing Union title,” Madziwana, who is managed by Malawian based stable No Pain No Gain, declared during the week. Last week’s win took Madziwana’s record to 15-12-0.His last three fights have been won by way of knockout and last week, Madziwana proved why he is rated as one of the most talented boxers in the land with some sleek movement and perfect combinations. “That win was sweet, given that my wife Tendai and son Floyd were there witnessing. Ronald (Tamani) is a good boxer, we know each other and he has a good trainer in legend Arifonso Zvenyika,” said Madziwana. The boxing chairman has a lot of followers, just like his close friend and Zim Dancehall sensation Killer T, who also answers to the same moniker “Chairman.”
And last weekend, his close buddies from the ghetto thronged the ring after Madziwana had pummelled Tamani into submission. Six-month-old Floyd also joined in the party, albeit unknowingly, as her mother carried him into the ring. “That baby you saw is my son, his name is Floyd, named after my icon Floyd Mayweather. It was good winning in his presence, atotanga zveboxing achiri kacheche,” Madziwana says with a chuckle. Now on 27 fights, Madziwana’s trainer Clyde Musonda thinks it’s time for the Mbare star to “move forward.”
“He has beaten all his opponents locally, regionally he has been doing well as well. In his recent fights he has won against Aubrey Masamba and Richard Kachidza of Malawi.
“There’s progress but we need him to defend the Zimbabwean title, at least once, before we go for the African Boxing Union title,” said Musonda.Madziwana has declared 2018 a year of conquering and he began the year by consulting Walter Magaya for “some divine intervention.”
“I am serious about my career, that’s why I even visited Prophet Magaya in January because I also believe talent alone without God is not enough,” said Madziwana.
