Manyuchi retraces roots to Masvingo

06 Jun, 2021 - 00:06 0 Views
Manyuchi retraces roots to Masvingo

The Sunday Mail

Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter

CHARLES MANYUCHI has an urge that is driving him as he prepares for his 30th professional bout: It is the need to finally pay back a community that embraced him in his formative years.

This is what has inspired the pugilist’s decision to move his World Boxing Federation (WBF) title defence from Harare to Masvingo.

The 32-year-old will now defend his WBF middleweight belt against Muhamad Sebyala of Uganda at Flamboyant Hotel on July 3.

Manyuchi — a holder of the Global Boxing Union and Universal Boxing Council titles — will also battle for the World Alliance Boxing Association (WABA) against the Ugandan.

He feels a little bit more inspired now that he will finally stage a title fight in Masvingo, where his professional boxing career took off 12 years ago. He has fought in the country’s oldest town on two occasions — against Silas Mandeya in 2010 and 2012 — but those were non-title bouts that generated little interest.

So this makes it the first time he will battle for a title in Masvingo.

“Fighting for a title in Masvingo: This feels exciting. It is a way of paying back to a community that has embraced me well,” said Manyuchi, who is currently training under the supervision of Zambian coach Greetings Kaonga.

“Masvingo is where my boxing career began, thanks to the helping hand I got from Eddison Zvobgo Jr.

“Zvogbo Jr showed me the way and I have to pay him back by staging a fight here at Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo.”

The boxer was a mere general hand at a sugarcane plantation in Triangle when he first met Zvobgo Jr in 2008.

Apparently, his boxing skills at some amateur tournament charmed the late nationalist’s son, who then invited him to Masvingo, where he was housed at Chevron Hotel for almost four years.

Manyuchi won his first professional fight against Isaac Phonkeni at Raylton Sports Club in Harare on February 14, 2009, with Zvobgo Jr as his promoter.

“I am inspired more to come out victorious against Sebyala and I will dedicate this victory to the people of Masvingo.

“Masvingo has always been my second home and the authorities here have always supported my career.”

The pugilist took a break from his heavy training schedule to attend a boxing tournament that was set to be staged by Clyde Musonda’s Delta Force at Harare Showground last night.

He has been training twice a day at the match venue as he tries to shed weight.

He has been inactive since September 28, 2019 when he clinched the WBF middleweight title against Diego Gallardo of Argentina.

He now needs to shed about 8kgs to fall within the 72,5kg middleweight category.

The most popular boxer in the country at the moment has four defeats in 29 matches and comes up against Sebyala, who has a record of 19 wins, 13 defeats and one draw.

However, the Ugandan has lost his last two fights.

Manyuchi’s promoter, Prosper Chibaya, who is the only active female promoter in the land, says all is falling into place ahead of “the big night”.

“It has been quite a challenge arranging this fight because of the effects of Covid-19, but we are almost there. We will be launching the fight next week (this week),” she said.

“We have been mobilising support from the business community in Masvingo and the response is good. The management at Flamboyant Hotel is keen to have us.

“I am looking forward to a big boxing night and the people of Masvingo will love it,” said Chibaya.

Two boxers from the Charles Manyuchi Academy — Evans “Vanso” Husayiwevhu (lightweight) and Tinashe Majoni (super flyweight) — will also have title fights on the night.

“Boxers from Masvingo will benefit. We have a few of them on the bout card. It will be a memorable night; people will enjoy,” said Chibaya.

 

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