The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
A UNITED Kingdom-based Zimbabwean woman with a vast boxing network that includes links with former world heavyweight champions Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield wants to use her influence to boost the sport in the country.
Reacting to a report published in this paper last week, which lamented the death of heavyweight boxing in Zimbabwe, multi-award winning strategist and one of the most influential black entrepreneurs in Britain, Glorianne Francis, has revealed an audacious plan to reignite interest in the division.
Zimbabwe, once home to a powerful heavyweight boxing cast that included former African champion Proud “Kilimanjaro” Chinembiri, Juke Box Timebomb, Black Tiger, Kid Power, Anderson Saizi and Arigoma Chiponda, now only has three professional boxers in that division.
Current national champion Vincent Muziri, number one contender Collen Nyamambishi and Simon Madanhire are the only heavyweight boxers in the country today.
This dire situation has sprung British-based boxing enthusiast Francis into action as she believes she has the right boxing contacts that can help turn around Zimbabwe’s heavyweight boxing.
“Heavyweight boxing is one of the most celebrated weights and their titles are also one of the most decorated in the world.
“It would be a great stride in Zimbabwean boxing if we were to produce our own heavyweight champions, like the late Proud Chinembiri.
“We currently have Derek Chisora but he is currently based in the United Kingdom,” Francis said.
Francis recently set up the Glo International Sports and Arts Agency, which is registered in Zimbabwe.
The 45-year-old Francis, who recently took over as the public relations and brand manager for Global Boxing Union middleweight champion Charles Manyuchi, says she has established many contacts at the highest level across the world, a weapon she believes can be used to prop up Zimbabwean boxing.
“Yes, I have worked with Evander (Holyfield), Tyson and Chisora and I have access to all of them,” she said.
“I am hoping to facilitate workshops as well as meet and greet opportunities for Zimbabwean boxers to liaise with legends like Sugar Ray Leonard, Lennox Lewis, Tyson and Holyfield, who are all passionate about Africa.
“I am in the process of sourcing funds to facilitate these workshops and inviting these legends to visit Zimbabwe.
“Most boxers who have made it all come from backgrounds driven by either poverty or violence. With the current economic challenges and increase in drug misuse, I am hoping to create a platform that will encourage young people to take up boxing.
“I want to afford them (Zimbabwean boxers) an opportunity to engage with high profile boxers who have been celebrated all over the world for their achievements,” said Francis, who is known as Glo Diamond in international circles.
Starting with an amateur tournament set for Zvishavane on August 24, Glo Diamond has boxing tournaments lined up across Zimbabwe.
“I believe these tournaments will enhance our society by giving the youth productive activities that will enable them to stay off the streets and impact their lives for the best.
“Boxing reaches out to places where other sports do not reach as it engages the youth on their own terms. Those that have attempted doing other things might excel in boxing and their sense of worth and self-esteem will be restored.
“They will stop labelling themselves as dropouts or failures, boxing has the potential to turn outcasts into role models.
“So my plans are to focus on both amateur and professional boxing. The girl child will not be left out.
“Boxing has already started growing in Zimbabwe but needs more stakeholders, including the Ministry of Sport, to get involved in funding it,” said Francis.
