The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
MAYBE it was ring rust, or a long lay-off, but Charles Manyuchi appeared out of shape and looked like he was destined to lose his World Boxing Federation Middleweight World title to Mohamad Sebyala last weekend.
At 31, Manyuchi is nearing the homestretch of what has been an otherwise illustrious career and he had to defend his WBF belt to remain relevant on the international boxing scene.
That is what he did, via a unanimous decision at the Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo.
Although the WBF is a rung lower than the four major sanctioning bodies — World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organisation and the International Boxing Federation — it still remains Manyuchi’s most prized belt.
Manyuchi fell down the world pecking order after losing his WBC Silver welterweight title to Qudratillo Abduqaxorov in Singapore four years ago and the Zimbabwean star can now look up to the WBF as an avenue back to recognition.
He won the WBF Middleweight belt in September 2019 after stopping Argentine boxer, Diego Gallardo, at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Manyuchi could not defend the title in 2020 due to Covid-19 and his latest bout was almost knocked out by the virus until the Government issued a special waiver for the WBF title fight to go ahead.
He faced the ignominy of being stripped of the title had he not defended it, but Manyuchi can now rest easy after successfully retaining his belt.
Not only did he retain the WBF belt, Manyuchi also won the little known World Alliance Boxing Association (WABA) and the World Professional Boxing Federation (WPBF) belts.
He is now basking in glory after meeting President Mnangagwa at State House last Thursday.
Manyuchi received US$10 000 cash from the President, who praised the boxer.
“I am happy that we have the WBF middleweight champion in Zimbabwe,” said President Mnangagwa.
“We feel very proud that this title is in Zimbabwe. I congratulate you, as a result of that, I have donated something for you.”
However, some boxing pundits who watched Manyuchi’s match including his former manager, Chris Malunga, have warned him to guard against complacency.
Malunga, who managed Manyuchi when he was still with Oriental Quarries of Zambia, was by the ringside last weekend.
He issued a stern warning soon after the fight.
“I am happy that he (Manyuchi) has defended his title, but he needs to work extra hard because I think tougher opponents will be coming for him.
“For him to maintain the levels of a champion, he needs to work hard,” said Malunga.
Manyuchi looked like someone who is struggling with his weight and his body shape was a sharp contrast to his opponent, Sebyala, who ironically is 10 years older.
“But, technically Manyuchi is still good. He could read and he could hear, that’s what saved him.
“First four rounds it was something else but when he was pushed by the technical team he changed the fight, he knocked down the challenger two times in different rounds and that gave him the edge.
“He is still there, he has a long life in boxing but what he needs is to maintain his levels of fitness,” said Malunga.
Manyuchi improved his record to 25-4-1 and is now in line to defend his WABA title in Morogoro, Tanzania later this year.
He has another lucrative WBF title fight lined up in Dubai before the end of 2021.
A boxing trainer who watched Manyuchi’s fight online is worried about the boxer’s sluggishness.
“He is no longer the Manyuchi of old.
“Perhaps it was all about ring rust which he acknowledged soon after the fight but I could see that Manyuchi is now slowing down.
“Maybe it’s time for him to seriously consider quitting the game,” he said.
Manyuchi has hinted before about quitting the sport that has given him international fame.
However, for now, his focus is on the fights lined up in Dubai and Tanzania.
The boxer paid tribute to the people of Masvingo, the town where his professional career kicked off in 2009 with the assistance of Edison Zvobgo Jr, his first professional manager.
“To the people of Masvingo I say thank you for supporting me. I hope we can do this again here in Masvingo in the future,” Manyuchi said.
