The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda —
THE World Boxing Council has confirmed that Charles Manyuchi will defend his silver welterweight title in February 2017, ending speculation that the Zimbabwean had lost his title due to failure to defend.
As exclusively revealed by The Sunday Mail a fortnight ago, the 26-year-old Manyuchi will fight Qudratilo Abduqaxorov (23) of Uzbekistan in Singapore on February 17.
His handlers Oriental Quarries of Zambia are now expected to announce the fight tomorrow at a press conference set for the capital city.
Following a wave of uncertainty over Manyuchi’s future, after reports that Russian champion Dmitry Mikhaylenko had taken over the silver title on an interim basis, The Sunday Mail sought clarification from the WBC headquarters in Mexico.
Manyuchi was supposed to have defended his title in October but failed as the targeted opponent Damien Martin of France allegedly pulled out at the last minute.
Mikhaylenko, who Manyuchi handed a first defeat in his backyard in Russia, to land the silver title on May 6, was reported to have taken advantage of the Zimbabwean’s failure to defend within the stipulated six-month period.
He fought and beat Breidis Enrique Prescot, a Colombian boxer based in Florida (USA) on November 18 – a victory that automatically qualified him to be the WBC silver interim champion.
Mixed interpretations on the developments ensued as the Zimbabwean boxing family feared Manyuchi had in the process also lost his title.
However, in a chat with The Sunday Mail from Mexico City, WBC Fight Coordinator Tito Gonzalez Rodriguez yesterday effectively confirmed Manyuchi as the substantive champion of the silver welterweight category.
“Confirmed, Manyuchi will defend his WBC Silver welterweight title in Singapore on February 17, 2017,” said Gonzalez Rodriguez.
Manyuchi is number three on the latest WBC rankings and is still recognised as the silver title holder.
Although Manyuchi’s manager Chris Malunga was not immediately available for a comment, a source within the camp claimed that the Zimbabwean would issue a press statement in Harare tomorrow.
“Chris (Malunga) is expected to address the press in Harare on Monday (tomorrow) on issues surrounding Manyuchi’s title and defence. That’s all,” said the source.
