The Sunday Mail
Sports Reporter
SHE would have pocketed at least US$20 000 last night had the much-awaited fight not been postponed for the umpteenth time.
As a result, Zimbabwe prize-fighter Kudakwashe Chiwandire is worried.
Her World Boxing Council Interim Super Bantamweight title defence against Zulina Munoz of Mexico, which was supposed to take place in the capital last night, has been deferred yet again.
This historic event has been postponed thrice due to logistical issues.
The fight was initially set for August 20 but was pushed back by a week, before it was postponed again to October 1.
This time, it has been moved to October 15.
Reports suggest Government will now fund the title defence, although it is not mandated to do so.
Chiwandire is at risk of being stripped of the title without even defending it if the fight fails to materialise in the next two weeks.
The botched-up title defence has brought Zimbabwean boxing promoters under the microscope.
A lot of questions are being asked about how Delta Force, promoters of the fight, failed to make the fight happen when they had all the time to put their house in order.
Chiwandire won the WBC Interim Super Bantamweight title after defeating Catherine Phiri of Zambia in Lusaka on February 27 — exactly 217 days ago.
Delta Force were banking on Government support, arguing Chiwandire’s fight was also going to promote sports tourism.
However, according to boxing statutes, Government has no obligation to promote boxing matches.
“Boxing does not pay in Zimbabwe and when we stage tournaments, usually there is no return.
“As such, we end up extending our begging bowl to Government because of the lack of support,” reasons Clyde Musonda of Delta Force.
“This is not about Government alone; the corporate world should chip in.
“Boxing creates a lot of opportunities for them to market their brands, so I think the corporate world should also be involved.”
There is a feeling that Delta Force might have slept at the wheel.
Usually, when the WBC sanctions a fight, the promoter would have convinced them that everything is in place.
Veteran boxing promoter Stalin Mau Mau reminded local promoters on the need to be proactive.
“Someone slept on duty,” said the seasoned administrator.
“Although everybody has their own reasons, they fell asleep, the fact remains you slept on the job.
“And you woke up when the house was already on fire.
“Chiwandire’s belt should be guarded jealously because it is a chance of a lifetime for the boxer.”
He dismissed the notion that Government was obliged to chip in, when the country hosts an international boxing tournament.
“The WBC, or whatever organisation it is, do not deal with Government but deal with the promoter,” he argued.
“So, at the end of the day, where the promoter gets his money, it’s none of their (WBC) business. But the money must be there. That’s why you are given the sanction to stage a fight.
“You would have assured them the funds are available for the boxers as well as the officials and everything else. It must be emphasised that Government cannot be a boxing promoter.”
He also called for cooperation among boxing promoters, especially in instances where Zimbabwe gets a chance to host an international tournament.
“The vision is the same, which is to produce a crop of boxers who have international recognition. At the end of the day, that is all we want,” he said.
Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chairperson Vee Chibanda pledged the board’s support for Chiwandire.
“We are working to support Kudakwashe (Chiwandire). We will have a press conference to announce the way forward,” she said.
