Manyuchi dazzles Zambia

19 Feb, 2017 - 00:02 0 Views
Manyuchi dazzles Zambia

The Sunday Mail

Langton Nyakwenda recently in LUSAKA, Zambia
FOUR years ago when Charles Manyuchi embarked on the 495 km journey to Lusaka, he didn’t even have a decent bag to pack his clothes; he borrowed one from a close friend – Martin Beula. He also didn’t have a decent pair of shoes and got one from his friend while the blue gloves he took with him on that journey were sourced from Ali Phiri, a local boxer.
That was December 2012, a few weeks after Manyuchi signed his first professional boxing contract with Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) of Zambia, coincidentally on his 23rd birthday on November 19 of that year.
Pulling a red bag, holding another smaller one on the other hand, a sheepish Manyuchi disembarked from a ZUPCO coach at a then modest Lusaka long distance bus terminus.
The terminus, now known as the Inter-City Terminus, has since grown into one of the busiest international bus stations in the region and Manyuchi has also grown into one the most respected boxers, not only in Zambia but on the global arena.
Now 27, Manyuchi has been transformed into an international boxer and reigns as World Boxing Council Silver welterweight title holder.
He is also ranked third on the overall WBC welterweight rankings.
Zambians, especially the older generation, appear to have a lot of respect for Zimbabwean musicians with Oliver Mtukudzi, Thomas Mapfumo and Leonard Dembo topping the list.
Coincidentally, Dembo’s timeless tracks off his 1995 album “Shiri Yakangwara” belted from The Pub and Grill Bar – a busy watering hole near the Lusaka Inter-City Terminus – when this reporter struck a conversation with two Zambian brothers Maulani and John Phiri.
The elder brother, Maulani, who is based in Ndola, about 350 km away from the capital Lusaka, sprang to life upon discovering that this reporter was from Zimbabwe.
“Zimbabwe and Zambia are like one country, we enjoy your (Zimbabwean) music and we share some cultural traits,” he said with a beaming face.
The conversation inevitably shifted to Manyuchi, pronounced “Manuchi” in Zambian accent.
“That one is not only a boxer, he is an entertainer par excellence.
“People here love Charle (Manyuchi) and believe he is the next big thing to happen to Zambian boxing after the late Lottie Mwale,” John chipped in as he enjoyed a bottle of Mosi, the most popular beer in Lusaka.
Popularly known as Gunduzani, Mwale became the greatest boxer in Zambian history when he claimed the WBC International light heavyweight title with a knockout victory over Ray Acquaye of Ghana in Lusaka on December 2, 1990.
He died at 53 in 2005 and in Manyuchi most Zambians feel they have found a fitting heir apparent.
“Manuchi is neither Zimbabwean nor Zambian, he belongs to both nations.
“His achievements make us, Zambians, proud because we feel he is one of us,” John added.
The conversation was done and dusted by the time Dembo’s long album ended and it was time to head to Chilenje suburb, the equivalent of Harare’s Mbare.
It was in this suburb where the late national hero Dr Hebert Chitepo died when a car bomb placed in his Volkswagen Beetle exploded on March 18, 1975.
The taxi man who took us to Chilenje, a middle aged man who identified himself as Salani, knows about this part of history but he spoke more authoritatively when asked about Manyuchi.
“Manuchi is massive, I mean big business here,” said Salani.
“The last time he fought at the Government Complex we made a lot of money as thousands wanted to be transported to and from the venue,” Salani said.
Manyuchi’s last fight in Lusaka was on August 27, 2016 when he knocked out Deo Samwell of Tanzania in front of 3 000 fans at the Government Complex situated in the centre of Lusaka.
Manyuchi’s popularity was again brought to test last Wednesday when in between his afternoon and evening sessions, the boxer found time to stroll across the city centre in the company of this reporter and his Zambian manager Chris Malunga.
There was a mini stampede at Kulimatawa where kombis from the high density suburbs converge. Airtime vendors mobbed the Zimbabwean boxing star.
“Manuchi, Manuchi!” the public screamed upon realising the man dressed in sandals and a blue track bottom was actually their boxing champion. Some whispered loudly, “We hear he is preparing for a big fight in Singapore.”
Emmanuel Zulu, a butcher boy at Katuna’s who usually serves Manyuchi his favourite smoked sausage, believes the boxer will go far.
Manyuchi will get an inch closer to Zulu’s prediction if he retains his WBC Silver welterweight title against Abduqaxorov of Uzbekistan at the OCBC Arena in Singapore on March 25.

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds