The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
CHARLES MANYUCHI turned 30 last Sunday, but the World Boxing Federation middleweight champion had no time for birthday celebrations as he had a pressing issue to deal with.
Manyuchi left for Zambia on Thursday to kickstart his training camp ahead of a challenge match against former Zimbabwe super welterweight champion Modicai “Big Fish” Donga.
The challenge that started on social media has now manifested into a potential blockbuster fight.
Manyuchi has agreed to fight Donga, with the latter saying he is also ready to fight.
The bout has been set for December 21 in Harare.
The 41-year-old Donga, who retired from the sport in June 2011, coincidentally after suffering a defeat by Manyuchi at the Large City Hall in Bulawayo, has vowed to embarrass his rival.
He has been posting provocative messages on his Facebook page in order to stoke the flames ahead of the bout.
Donga, who now earns his keep as a lawyer in Swaziland, thinks his adversary has been facing “weaker” opponents of late and is not a “true champion”, hence his decision to temporarily come out of retirement “to teach Manyuchi a lesson.”
On the other hand, Manyuchi has dismissed Donga as a spent force.
Last week, he declared that he will send the former champion into “permanent retirement”.
“There has been no time to celebrate my birthday because I have to work hard and prove a point,” Manyuchi told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“I am going to Zambia now to start my training camp. I am eager to fight Donga and prove that he now belongs to the archives.
“For me, this fight is not about the purse, so the promoters should not be worried with how much they will give me. This is about settling some scores.
“I can fight Donga anywhere, even at Mbare Musika where everyone can see me beat him. The promoters can even erect a ring in Harare’s First Street, anywhere, I will beat Donga.
“In fact, Donga will be my Christmas present,” declared Manyuchi, who will set his training camp at Exodus Boxing Stable in Zambia.
The fight is being coordinated by Clyde Musonda of Delta Force.
Donga heightened the tension last Monday when he posted on his Facebook page a provocative video of himself training.
“My sparring partners are the best team ever. So committed and giving me an even tougher time. Thanks for pushing team.
“Am told there is panic everywhere. Let’s go beat him,” posted Donga.
When The Sunday Mail Sport touched base with Donga last Thursday, the former Zimbabwe National Boxing Control Board executive member reiterated that he will beat Manyuchi.
“Nothing motivates me to fight Manyuchi. What would motivate me better is to fight the likes of Manny Pacquiao or Floyd (Mayweather) who I think are at my level. lt is just unfortunate that during my time we never had the chance to showcase our talent,” Donga said.
“Social media spoke about Manyuchi’s previous weak opponents, so some fans said Donga once beat Manyuchi.
“I thought it was a joke, but if the fans want me to come out of retirement then I will do it. At 41, one might say I am past my prime, but there are some surprises in store.
“Manyuchi and I fought twice, I won once while he won the other bout. And during the second fight, he did not exactly win, it was a split decision, but I had thrashed him.
“I know I can beat him and he knows it too. Nothing will stop me from doing that. He will try some of his funny antics and I will beat him for that. I hear he is training hard, which is good, but I am still going to beat him,” Donga said.
The first fight between the two rivals ended with Manyuchi on the losing end at Raylton Sports Club on July 25, 2009.
Manyuchi got his revenge two years later.
With such a history, the upcoming bout is about who gets the final say.
Manyuchi’s recent fight was a second round win over Diego Gallardo of Argentina, in a WBF world middleweight title fight at the Harare International Conference Centre on September 28.
He is expected to defend his WBF title in February 2020.
“The Donga fight could be a perfect warm up for my title defence,” said Manyuchi, who now has a 24-4-1 record.
