The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
JUST like “The Ring”, a renowned American boxing magazine that is highly respected across the globe, Boxrec, a website launched at the turn of the millennium, is also an internationally recognised source of boxing statistics and records.
The website also does its own ratings, which are generally considered in some circles as a real measure of a boxer’s pedigree.
They rate Zimbabwe’s female boxer Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire as one of the best super bantamweight fighters in the world.
In fact, in their latest ratings, Chiwandire is the ninth-best super bantamweight boxer in the world.
She is, however, the only African in that top 10, which also includes World Boxing Council super bantamweight champion Yamileth Mercado of Mexico.
The Mexican, who is ranked second, is Chiwandire’s next target as the Highfield-bred pugilist continues with her quest to conquer the world.
After successfully defending her WBC Interim super bantamweight title against Zulina Munoz of Mexico in Harare last October, Chiwandire was rewarded with a shot at the world title, which is currently held by Mercado.
Negotiations for the fight have been completed and the contract was expected in Harare on Friday.
Chiwandire’s purse has been agreed on and the fight is now set for Mexico in March.
What is certain is that the boxer will pocket more than US$20 000. In the fight against Munoz, she earned US$20 000.
The 26-year-old is now back in the gym and fully aware of the magnitude of the task that lies ahead.
“I had no holiday,” Chiwandire told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“While others were enjoying their money in different parts of the world, I was working because I know the task that lies ahead is difficult,” she said.
She has also been offered “world-class” training facilities.
Her mission is onerous.
Not only does Mercado hold the WBC super bantamweight gold belt, but she is also younger than Munoz and has an impressive record of 20-3-0.
Defended her title
The 24-year-old defended her title against fellow countrywoman Mariana Juarez in Mexico City on October 29.
Juarez is ranked second by the World Boxing Council in their current ratings, while Chiwandire is still outside the top 15.
“I know this one (match against Mercado) is going to be bigger and tougher, but I will also prepare harder this time,” says Chiwandire.
She looked as sharp as ever during a training session held in the media’s presence at a gym in the capital on Thursday.
“I want to be recognised as the best-ever Zimbabwean female boxer, and for that to happen, I need to work hard.”
Her trainer and manager, Clyde Musonda, is both confident and cautious.
“We should not fool ourselves into thinking that the fight will be a stroll in the park. This is Kuda’s biggest fight ever and she has to rise to the occasion,” said Musonda, who is also director of the Delta Force boxing stable.
“This one is a world title fight and we are preparing with that in mind.”
More corporate organisations seem eager to partner with the star pugilist.
RM Plumbing World has undertaken to take care of some of her needs ahead of the fight.
“Chiwandire is a Zimbabwean daughter who needs to be supported by all Zimbabweans,” said Robson Muromba of RM Plumbing World.
“I have discovered that in sports, most of these guys need support before they end up doing drugs because they will not have anything to do.
“So, we are the anchor sponsor of Delta Force . . .
“The main thing is to develop a concept of sports and employment in which a boxer will earn a living even after retiring.
“We have chosen Kuda because I have seen that in this environment the girl child is very important and yet they suffer a lot of abuse and end up not knowing where to go.
“Chiwandire is an example to other girls. She is a way of inviting or motivating other girls to take up the sport because it will be rewarding,” he said.
Twitter: @LangtonGuraz
