The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
HE has always shown potential in a career spanning 15 years, but international success eluded him.
So good has been Tinashe Madziwana that most in the local boxing fraternity now refer to him as the boxing “chairman”.
He is friends with Zimdancehall top chanter Kelvin Kusikwenyu, popularly known as Killer T, who is also nicknamed “chairman” in his trade.
Now 32, the Mbare-bred Madziwana could be reaching the twilight of a career that promised much, but delivered little.
However, a window of hope has opened for the boxer, who has not fought since May 10, 2019, when he defeated Tinkhari Kamanga of Malawi at the Harare Showgrounds.
Undefeated in his last five matches and a holder of the Zimbabwe Super Bantamweight title, he has finally been given a shot at the African Boxing Union (ABU) featherweight.
He is set for a match against ABU champion Nathanael “Natty” Kakololo of Namibia in Windhoek on February 27.
His trainer, Clyde Musonda, confirmed the bout.
“It’s an ABU featherweight title and Tinashe is the challenger,” said Musonda.
“Winning this belt is very important because if you win this belt, automatically you are rated by the World Boxing Council.”
The African Boxing Union is an affiliate of the highly regarded WBC.
“After the ABU, one then gets a chance to challenge for the WBC bronze, from bronze we go to WBC Silver, the same level that Charles Manyuchi reached,” added Musonda.
Manyuchi is a former WBC Silver welterweight champion who went through the same route.
“That’s the route we want Tinashe to take. We are going for the green belt (WBC belt).”
Madziwana, who made his professional debut in December 2006, now has a record of 17 wins (10 by knockouts), 10 losses and one draw.
On paper, the Zimbabwean has more experience than his opponent Kakololo, who, despite holding the ABU belt, only has 12 fights to his name.
The 31-year-old Kakololo has a 10-1-1 record, but is undefeated in his last seven matches.
He won the ABU featherweight title after defeating Jeff Magagane of South Africa in December 2019.
Madziwana has respect for his opponent, but says he is ready for the task.
“I have been training regularly under coach Clyde (Musonda) and everything is on track. My opponent comes in with a good record but he is beatable.
“I hope all goes well in the run-up to the fight. I am going all out for the kill; it is time I put Zimbabwe on the map again.”
