Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT is now almost 600 days since she last took to the ring and some critics have already started to speculate about her boxing future.
Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire’s last bout was on March 18, 2023, when she took on Mexican Yamileth Mercado for the World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight gold belt.
That was the highest level reached by a Zimbabwean boxer.
Unfortunately, Chiwandire has failed to get a fight ever since.
A couple of fights were arranged for her, but were sadly postponed at the eleventh hour.
Chiwandire’s camp believes boxers are scared of facing the Highfield-bred boxing machine.
Despite being inactive for close to two years, she remains the best pound-for-pound female Super Bantamweight boxer in Africa.
At number 16 on the WBC ratings, Chiwandire is the highest-ranked African.
Luckily for her, a new window of opportunity has been opened.
The 28-year-old pugilist has a chance to prove why she is still highly regarded by the WBC when she takes on Karina Tazabekova in a non-title fight at the SK Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday.
The fight has been arranged to position Chiwandire for a WBC Africa title against Ellen Simwaka of Malawi next year.
Simwaka is the second-best-rated female Super Bantamweight boxer on the WBC rankings.
“I need to prove that I am still good; the gift is from God and no one can take that away,” says Chiwandire.
She was scheduled to leave for Russia via Dubai in the company of her promoter Clyde Musonda yesterday.
“I am very excited to get this fight in Russia; it’s a big opportunity for me.
“If I win, I can set up myself for bigger fights and I want to thank God for this opportunity,” she said.
Because of inactivity, Chiwandire still has a modest 6-3-1 record, but she has fought against high-profile pugilists like Catherine Phiri, Zulina Munoz and world champion Mercado.
“Some of the boxers fear me, because of my level. They say my profile is too high. Nonetheless, I have kept on pushing in the gym and I want to fight my way back to the top again.
“I want to thank Invictus Gym for providing me with training facilities. You cannot do it alone; there are a lot of people behind the scenes.
“I want to thank my family for standing by me in bad times; they are always behind me.
“No matter how hard things get, they are always supporting me.
“I want to tell my fans that I am still and all will be well. I know I have a lot of people who support me, and I want to do this for them.”
Chiwandire praised the Government for ensuring an enabling environment for women to participate in boxing.
“I want to thank the Government for giving us, ladies, opportunities,” she
said.
“We are lucky to have a First Lady like Amai Mnangagwa, who has the girl child at heart.”
Chiwandire’s promoter, Musonda, believes the fight in Russia could be a turning point for her boxer.
“We are planning to set up Kuda (Chiwandire) for a WBC Africa fight in March next year and this fight in Russia is important. A win in Russia will boost our preparations for the Africa title fight,” he said.
Tazabekova is a rising boxer, who has gone unbeaten in three fights.
