The Sunday Mail
“THE hardest battle is given to the strongest soldier. No pain, no gain. Its blood, sweat and tears.”
This was Charles Manyuchi’s WhatsApp status on Friday as he prepared to board the plane for Italy to defend his World Boxing Council International welterweight title on July 11 in Sequals, Friuli-Venezia.
His opponent is 35-year-old Italian Gianluca Frezza, a former WBC Mediterranean welterweight champ whose record stands at 23-2-2 and is ranked number 107 in the world.
“I am good to go; I know I will make it. I will not give up easily because I want to prove that I am a true warrior,” said Manyuchi before his departure.
Manyuchi has been the toast of the media in Zambia, where he is based, and last Thursday he was on state television talking up the bout.
Manyuchi’s father Otis — who has been to his son what Floyd Mayweather Snr has been to the undefeated Floyd Mayweather Jr — will this time not accompany the Zimbabwean champion.
“My father has always been a pillar of strength. He is a former boxer and his presence on the ringside usually inspires me, but this time he is not travelling to Italy because of financial issues.
“This looks like it will be a tough outing for me, but like I have said ,this fight is for Zimbabwe, His Excellency President Mugabe whose resilience I always emulate when I am inside the ring and all those boxing lovers out there,” said Manyuchi.
The Masvingo-born pugilist goes into the ring carrying a 16-2-1 record and buoyant after a 57-second knoc-kout of Tanzanian Ibrahimu Class in May.
Manyuchi is ranked 48th on the world welterweight rankings and is in the Top 20 of the WBC ratings. He is unbeaten in his last 14 matches, winning six of them via knock-outs.
“It is important for me to maintain this momentum, but that is all God’s work. I am a firm believer in Jesus Christ and know with His backing I can conquer the world,” he said.
The boxer debuted professionally on February 14, 2009 and rose to prominence when he defeated Ghanaian Patrick Allotey in March 2014 to land the WBC International welterweight crown.
He has defended his title once, a second round knock-out of Colombian Devis Caceres last November.
Manyuchi timeline:
Feb 2009: Professional debut against Isaac Phonkeni at Raylton Sports Club, Harare
March 2012: Defeats highly-fancied Mordecai Donga at Large City Hall, Bulawayo
June 2013: Beats Patrice Sou Toke of Burkina Faso to land the African Boxing Union title
Sept 2013: Defends ABU title against Isaac Sowah of Ghana
March 2014: Lifts WBC International title after defeating Ghanaian Patrick Allotey in Zambia
Nov 2014: Defends WBC International title against Colombian Devis Caceres in Zambia.
