The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
ALTHOUGH the night belonged to Charles Manyuchi, the World Boxing Council silver welterweight champion who made a stylish homecoming, Wesley McDade, the “White Lion” hogged the limelight on Friday night. It was boxing galore at the Harare International Conference Centre where Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions of Zambia put up a top class boxing show of eight exciting fights.
The main attraction – Manyuchi – disappointed his fans who wanted more of him as he only gave them 2 minutes 42 seconds of action.
He knocked out Julio Agustin Feria of Colombia in the first round of the last but main bout.However, 34-year-old Zimbabwean light heavyweight champion McDade had done enough to whet the appetite of a highly anticipating crowd when he stopped Donald Kampamba of Zambia in round four in bout number four.
Jah Prayzah’s popular song “Mudhara Vachauya” belted from the PA System after McDade had delivered the killer punch and the crowd shouted “Murewa! Murewa!”That is his new nickname, some called him “Shumba” and indeed he fought like a lion.
“I didn’t know I had so many fans, I was actually surprised.
The moment they started shouting ‘Murewa! Shumba!’, my adrenaline rose and I became more vigilant.
“My ability to control the match won me more admirers and I thank my fellow Zimbabweans for supporting boxing,” said McDade.
With his father David and brother Rory as well as trainer Denver Wayne on his corner, Mcdade – who fights under the Nashua Boxing Stable – produced some fine combinations from the onset.
It was only his third professional fight but by round four, Kampamba was done and Team McDade was dancing to some Jah Prayzah vibe.
“The plan now is to gun for the African Boxing Union light heavyweight title, we want more professional fights in Zimbabwe,” said McDade, who now has a record of 2-1.
Mbare bred Tinashe “Chairman” Madziwane wowed the crowd with some fancy footwork and well calculated body jabs on his way to a fourth round bantamweight non-title fight win against Gibon “Computer” Kamota of Zambia.
He entered the ring with Winky D’s hit song “Disappear” playing in the background but after his victory, it was only natural for his close friend Killer T’s “Takangodaro” to be played.
Zimbabwe made history as it hosted its first ever WBC title, an international welterweight fight between Lolita Muzeya of Zambia and Agnes Mtimaukanena of Malawi.The stakes were higher and it was Muzeya who emerged the new WBC international welterweight champion.
She warmed the stage for stable mate Manyuchi who completed the job in style.
The two Vice Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa and Phelekezela Mphoko were called into the ring just before the fight.
