The Sunday Mail
NEWLY-crowned World Boxing Council welterweight silver champion Charles Manyuchi yesterday joked he now deserves a diplomatic passport after his victory over Dmitry Mikhaylenko.
It was a joke. But perhaps it is something that should be considered serisouly after Manyuchi handed Mikhaylenko his first defeat in a bout in Yekaterinburg, Russia on Friday night to land the vacant WBC welterweight silver title.
On his first day as the new champion, the 26-year-old Manyuchi – who is expected home tomorrow afternoon – shared his joy with this publication.
Manyuchi said he never doubted his ability to defeat Mikhaylenko despite having the odds heavily stacked against him going into the fight.
“I was always confident of defeating him and I thank God for this victory. I think I now deserve a diplomatic passport. I am a true Zim-Asset,” laughed Manyuchi in a telephone interview from Yekaterinburg yesterday.
Manyuchi now wears the WBC welterweight silver belt previously held by Amir Khan, who was in action against Saul Alvarez for the WBC middleweight crown in the early hours of this morning.
Manyuchi’s victory comes with its monetary rewards, with sources close to his Zambian promoters – Oriental Quarries – saying the prize fighter could earn up to three times the US$12 000 he got for defending his WBC International bronze belt against Gianlucca Freeza in Italy last July.
Cheered by a handful of Zimbabwean students in Russia, Manyuchi is reported to have kept his cool during the 12-round bout and avoided some heavy punches from the Russian.
He ducked and notched vital points as the bout sauntered towards the point count.
Manyuchi’s ring expertise made the judges’ life a lot easier as they unanimously agreed the Zimbabwean had gotten the better of the highly-fancied Mikhaylenko – who until last Friday, was undefeated in 21 fights.
Judges Alexander Kalinkin (Russia), Barry Lindenman (US) and Lateef Muis (Nigeria) scored the bout 116-114, 118-110 and 115-113 all in favour of Manyuchi.
According to reports from Russia, the last two rounds were grueling as Mikhaylenko showed signs of wobbling while the Zimbabwean looked intent on knocking him out.
After the announcement of the result, Manyuchi was jeered by the strong Russian crowd while the promoters of the show were left disappointed as they anticipated a Mikhaylenko victory.
Those jeers were dulled in Manyuchi’s ears by the sheer sweetness of victory.
“I am happy that I have raised the Zimbabwean flag once again, I am happy, thank you God. Thank you Zimbabweans and Zambians for your support, May God bless you, I made it and I love you all.
“I am grateful to my Zambian promoters Oriental Quarries, the Minister of Sports Makhosini Hlongwane, my Zimbabwean sponsor Mr T35 he is my hero, he has supported me through and through,” he said.
Manyuchi’s manager Chris Malunga, the man who has drafted a five-year plan that seeks big money fights for the Zimbabwean, was naturally proud of his man.
“He knew exactly what we wanted and worked hard. This result is a product of hard work and dedication, thank you all.
“We went into the fight with game plan and we executed it to the latter. The results of it are there for all to see.”
