The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
CHARLES MANYUCHI’S new trainer Greetings Kaonga believes he has done enough work on the Zimbabwean boxing star ahead of Saturday’s Global Boxing Union middleweight title fight against Rodolfo Pablo Ezequiel Acosta of Argentina.
The fight which has been dubbed “Restoration” and is seen as Manyuchi’s golden opportunity to launch his bid to reclaim international recognition, will be staged at Harare International Conference Centre.
Manyuchi’s Zambian trainer Kaonga has been working on the former WBC Silver welterweight champion for the past three weeks and believes the 30-year-old pugilist is ready to grab the GBU title.
“Zimbabweans should come in their numbers and watch a new Manyuchi, he has started another journey to success,” said Kaonga.
“We trained in Harare for three weeks and we went to Masvingo to wind up our program and I can certify that Manyuchi’s fitness level is okay.
“Physically he is ready for battle, we are now just working on the tactical aspects of the game. Fans will enjoy a good boxing match,” said the Zambian trainer.
Manyuchi is seeking redemption after losing his WBC title to Uzbek boxer Qudratillo Abduqaxorov in 2017 and last week retraced his roots back to Masvingo where his professional career began under the management of Edison Zvobgo Jr a decade ago.
“I am taking this fight as the first of my career, that is why I went back to where it started in Masvingo with Zvobgo.
“We have worked hard with my trainer, the training sessions have changed and I am ready to take on Pablo. We are not going to lose this one, not at all,” declared Manyuchi.
Sponsorship has been pouring for Manyuchi who last week got $30 000 from Tinmac Motors, a company with interest in transport and courier services.
“It is an honour to associate with an ambassador of Zimbabwean sport and as Tinmac Motors, we appreciate the obligation to fulfill our corporate social responsibility role and make Manyuchi’s May Day dream celebrations a reality.
“We are optimistic that Charles will restore his boxing legacy and pray that God grants him the strength to deliver sweet victory, hopefully through a knockout,” Tino Machakaire, Tinmac chief executive officer said.
The 32-year-old Acosta comes into this fight with a 7-5-3 record and is ranked number 833 in the world.
Manyuchi carries a 22-4-1 record is the 41st best super welterweight boxer in the world.
The undercard of this bill has two other international title matches featuring boxers from the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy.
Hassan “Starboy” Milanzi will face Philemon Hara of Zambia for the vacant UBC super bantamweight title while Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire has a date with Joyce Chileshe for the WIBA female bantamweight belt.
The cheapest ticket for this bill is going for $20 with the most expensive one selling at $500.
