BOXING: Local judge for World Boxing Council fight

09 Nov, 2014 - 06:11 0 Views
BOXING: Local judge for World Boxing Council fight Charles Manyuchi

The Sunday Mail

WHILE champion Charles Manyuchi is sure to hog the limelight at the World Boxing Council bouts to be staged in Zambia in two weeks’ time, another Zimbabwean will be flying the country’s flag high.

Zimbabwe National Boxing Board of Control committee member Patrick Mukondiwa will be one of the judges of the International Welterweight title fight between defending champion Manyuchi and Devis Caceres Navaro of Colombia.

Mukondiwa will also officiate the Silver Bantamweight bout featuring Zambia’s Catherine Phiri and Bukiwe Nonina of South Africa during the same night.

The veteran administrator is relishing the November 22 opportunity.

“To be assigned by such a big sanctioning body like the WBC is not a joke and it means a lot to me.

“It means the WBC has retained faith in my capabilities because this is the second time this year I will be officiating at a global event.

“It is good for the country’s image; these big sanctioning bodies will always remember that there is a country called Zimbabwe and we stand to benefit more,” said Mukondiwa.

The respected judge was also part of the officials when Manyuchi clinched the WBC International title at the same venue in March.

Two months ago, the African Boxing Union (ABU) assigned him to officiate one of the bouts at the 40th anniversary of the legendary fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman held in DR Congo.

“My wish now is to unroll coaching clinics across the country so that we have at least one competent judge in each province.

“The desire has always been there, but lack of finance has hindered that project,” said Mukondiwa, who boasts many years in boxing administration.

ZNBBC secretary-general Gilbert Munetsi hailed Mukondiwa’s assignment as recognition for local boxing.

“We applaud Mukondiwa for his achievements. What it tells us is that boxing is not all about the boxers, but it has a technical and administrative aspect to it.

“The level he has been invited to officiate at is the highest in the world because WBC are the ultimate sanctioning body in the world and it shows you how high he has raised the country’s flag.

“As the board, we would have wanted a situation where we have more technically gifted officials like Mukondiwa, but our desire to train and encourage retired boxers to take up officiating is being hampered by lack of finance,” said Munetsi.

Share This:

Survey


We value your opinion! Take a moment to complete our survey

This will close in 20 seconds