The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda Sports Reporter
BOXING star Charles Manyuchi has launched the Saturday Night Fights boxing extravaganza in a bid to promote upcoming pugilists.
Although the initiative is being hosted in his home town of Masvingo, the World Boxing Council champion highlights that boxers from all parts of the country are eligible for the bouts.
The programme has already roped in eight promising boxers, who have since featured in two tournaments at Masvingo’s Civic Centre.
Action has been paused to make way for the Youth Games currently being hosted in Masvingo, but is expected to continue in a fortnight.
Manyuchi, who rose from the amateur ranks in 2009 to become the World Boxing Council International welterweight champion, wants his story to inspire others.
“I was underprivileged and wasted so many years in the amateur set-up because I did not have access to the right platform,” he said.
“My situation only changed when Edison Zvobgo Jnr spotted me and kick-started my professional career. I believe I should also provide the same platform to the youngsters who have the talent, but do not know where to go.”
The 25-year-old champion hopes to use his links with Zambian promoters Oriental Quarries to arrange international fights for some bright prospects.
“I am getting support from the local council of Masvingo, my local manager Zvobgo Jnr and some corporates who are seeing where we want to take local boxing.
“Every budding boxer is free to challenge any of the eight boxers in the Saturday Night Fights . . . it is that simple, we want to tap all the unheralded talent in the country,” he said.
Manyuchi rates Milton Moyo of Bulawayo as the star in a group that also includes Future Ndlovu (Hwange), Brendon Dennis (Masvingo), Prince Carter (Gweru), Brighton Masiyambumbi (Bulawayo), Gerald Mhere (Harare), Admire Mazhura (Masvingo) and Kudakwashe Hodo (Harare).
