A Mayweather pipe dream?

25 May, 2014 - 00:05 0 Views

The Sunday Mail

Langton Nyakwenda
At first glance, a welterweight boxing match-up between Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Charles Manyuchi looks far-fetched, despite the Zimbabwean being recently confirmed as a contender for the American’s World Boxing Council belt.Mayweather cherry-picks opponents and those that get picked are guaranteed the biggest purses of their boxing careers.

His opponents have to be appealing to the world boxing television audience and that is something that Manyuchi does not possess at the moment.

However, there could be a slight window of opportunity for the Zimbabwean.

When Mayweather visited South Africa early this year, the greatest pound-for-pound boxer was asked whether he would consider fighting in Africa.

Apart from highlighting that his last professional fight could be in September 2015, the welterweight boxing champion also gave the biggest hint that Africa might host a money-spinning Mayweather fight before he hangs up his gloves.

“I’ve been getting some offers through e-mails. Also, my uncle Jeff (Mayweather) has been speaking to people in Africa.
“It’s my dream to fight here some day. So, hopefully we can make it happen if it’s plausible,” Mayweather Jnr told the gathering at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg.

Those statements still ring in the ears of those yearning for a historic Mayweather fight on African soil.

From his statements in South Africa and the high optimism expressed by Philadelphia-based Duality Management — the company that facilitated Mayweather’s visit — there are signs that the undefeated Mayweather could be seriously considering a swansong fight in Africa.

“People around the world, particularly those from that continent (Africa), love and adore Floyd Mayweather. They have the means and capability and that tells me that the potential is absolutely there for Floyd to globalise his brand by potentially fighting in the home of Nelson Mandela,” Rob Murray Jnr of Duality Management was quoted as saying recently.

A Mayweather bout in Africa would be sweet news for the continent.

However, it would be sweeter if the American boxing champion were to fight an African in a historic bout capable of changing the face of boxing on the continent overnight.

It would also make sense then for Mayweather to fight the best welterweight boxer on the continent and if that criterion were to be used, then Zimbabwe’s own Manyuchi is Africa’s top welterweight pugilist.

His challenge is to maintain that ranking.

Manyuchi, who currently holds the WBC International and the African Boxing Union belts, is humbled by the mere mention of his name in a sentence that features Mayweather.

“He (Mayweather) is the greatest and every boxer has a dream to meet him in the ring. If the opportunity comes, I will grab it with both hands.

“Who knows, maybe it is God’s plan that an unknown Charles from Masvingo will one day fight the greatest boxer in the world and make Africa proud,” said Manyuchi.

It is clear though, the fight is not possible this year as Mayweather’s deal with Showtime Network, which has three fights left, demands that he fights an established star.

Mayweather’s next fight is on September 13, possibly a rematch against Argentine Marcos Maidana since Khan has pulled out as he will be observing Ramadan.

Khan, who holds the WBC Silver title, is now a huge possibility early next year, while chances of fights against Danny Garcia, Keith Thurman and the potential best seller against Manny Pacquiao are realistic in the near future.

Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions of Zambia, who manage the 25-year-old Manyuchi, claim to have worthy contacts within the top circles of world boxing and the presence of a top Zambian boxing official at the WBC headquarters could be an added advantage.
Zambian boxing chairperson Nelson Sapi, who is also ABU vice president, is an executive member of the WBC.

All we can do is hope!

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