The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda – Sports Reporter
CHARLES MANYUCHI will now defend his World Boxing Council International welterweight title against Colombian boxer Devis Casseres Navarro in Lusaka later this year, his Zambian promoters Oriental Quarries have announced.
Initially, Manyuchi was set to fight Ivan Vivian Harris of Guyana, but Oriental Quarries have instead sealed a deal with Navarro, who has an impressive record of 17-4-0.
Navarro is rated the 34th best welterweight boxer in the latest WBC Rankings, five places behind Manyuchi.
“Boxer Charles Manyuchi will defend his WBC International welterweight title against a boxer named Devis Casseres Navarro from Colombia.
“It will be an under-card for Catherine Phiri’s WBC Silver defence bout on November 22 at Government Complex,” reads the statement released by Oriental Quarries manager Chris Malunga.
Manyuchi won the WBC International title in March this year when he beat Ghana’s Patrice Allotey in Lusaka.
The 25-year-old is also a holder of the African Boxing Union welterweight belt which he clinched in June last year after knocking out Burkina Faso champion Patrice Sou Toke.
He successfully defended his ABU title against Isaac Sowah of Ghana in Lusaka last September.
Manyuchi’s WBC International title makes him an eligible contender for the world title currently in the hands of unbeaten American champion Floyd “Money”Mayweather Jr.
Manyuchi’s handlers have since drafted an intensive training programme for the pugilist.
“Charles has to be in camp next week at all costs because we are running behind time. We have communicated with him and he knows the plan.
“We are also suspending the warm-up fight we had planned against a Tanzanian boxer because the major fight is now too close,” said Malunga.
Manyuchi, who is currently taking a break in his home town of Masvingo, was in a bullish mood when The Sunday Mail touched base with him last week.
“I have seen the Colombian boxer’s record; it looks impressive, but God does not want Zimbabwe to lose this belt. I am not making empty promises here, I am going to blow Navarro away and show the world what I am capable of,” declared Manyuchi.
The Zambia-based WBC champion is, however, disturbed by what he terms “lack of appreciation” from his native country.
“I feel let down by my own country of birth. When I fight I am not just a Manyuchi, but a Zimbabwean world champion and the lack of support I am getting home is not satisfying.
“The Sports Ministry should support these so called minority sports . . . I am touched by the plight of the Zimbabwe karaketas who struggled financially at the recently held Karate World Cup in South Africa.
“It’s not only football that needs support,” he said.
