The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
CHARLES MANYUCHI has been reading a lot about Tiger Woods as the former boxing champion attempts a sensational comeback of his own.
Woods won the Masters at Augusta National on April 14, finishing off what has become probably the greatest career comeback in the history of golf.
This after almost a decade of injuries and scandals.
And Manyuchi, who has a comeback fight at the Harare International Conference Centre on May 25, is also attempting to pull another Woods in the boxing ring.
The 30-year-old former World Boxing Council Silver welterweight champion takes on Pablo Ezequiel Acosta of Argentina for an Intercontinental unification bout, hoping to recover from a depressing two-year period.
Manyuchi’s career was on the up and that was until March 2017 when he lost his WBC title to Uzbek boxer Qudratillo Abduqaxorov in embarrassing fashion in Singapore.
The Zimbabwean lost his title in a shock first round knockout and has since been on a mission to reclaim his position on the international boxing stage.
“I have been reading a lot about golf star Tiger Woods and I am moved by his comeback story.
“I might be down but I am certainly not out. I still have age on my side and I want to assure Zimbabweans that Manyuchi will teach Acosta a very big lesson at the HICC,” says Manyuchi.
The match, which has been dubbed “Restoration”, was launched last Thursday at a local hotel where the Zimbabwean boxer received a financial boost from local firm Delight Credit.
“I am still studying my opponent but this is a fight which will probably decide which direction my career takes.
“I think I still have a lot to offer. I am very glad for this sponsorship from Delight Credit, this gives me some extra motivation,” said Manyuchi.
The 32-year-old Acosta comes into the May 25 fight with a 7-5-3 record.
He is the 55th best super welterweight boxer in Argentine.
Manyuchi, who is currently ranked 38th in the world, carries a 22-4-1 record.
The Zimbabwean’s recent major fight was a loss on points to Russian Magomed Kurbanov, in a non-title fight at the DIVS Arena in Yekaterinburg on August 2018.
