The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
AT some point in his life, he was just another small boy from the compound whose passion for boxing often attracted the wrath of his grandmother, who raised him through vending in Mashava.
It was hardly the background Brendon “Boika” Denes, whose mother Sibongile Chipenzi was a cross-border trader, could have wished for.
Denes’ grandmother, Lucia Chipenzi, always hoped and prayed for the best at King Mine, a small compound under Gaths Mine in Mashava, some 40km along the Masvingo-Zvishavane road.
Unfortunately, Chipenzi, who disliked boxing so much that she would beat up a young Denes whenever he went to the compound gym, is no longer there to witness her grandson’s meteoric rise.
From a poor boy in Mashava, the 25-year-old is now the new World Boxing Organisation Africa welterweight champion after knocking out the highly-fancied Mikka Shonena of Namibia at the Windhoek Country Club on Saturday.
It was Denes’ biggest payday since he turned professional on May 5, 2018.
He pocketed US$2 000 after winning the fight.
“I can say I was born a fighter, because I fought against a lot of things, including poverty when I was growing up in Mashava.
“My passion for boxing at a tender age attracted some beating from my grandmother. She didn’t want me to fight or go to the compound gym, but my head had already been turned by the time I was seven years old.
“It is unfortunate she is no longer here with us to witness this momentous occasion as she passed on when I was still young — in 2003,” he told The Sunday Mail Sport.
A product of the Charles Manyuchi Sports Academy, Denes was Sports Minister Kirsty Coventry’s guest on Thursday, who held a Press conference at her offices in Harare to celebrate his achievement.
She hailed Denes for putting Zimbabwe on the world map.
“Right now I have the WBO Africa belt and I am done with that. I am waiting to defend the title and push for the World Boxing Council belts.
“This fight was one of the biggest fights ever, it was actually my biggest payday, so I am very happy. My wish is to put my country on the world map,” said Denes.
He is set to defend his WBO Africa welterweight title on February 26 in Harare, before he goes for the more prestigious WBC belts, which at one time were in Manyuchi’s hands.
The rise
Renowned coach, Ali “Otto” Phiri, who works with both Manyuchi and Denes, has already identified some special qualities in the rising pugilist.
“I have worked with a number of boxers, including the WBF middleweight champion Manyuchi, and I can tell you this young boy (Denes) will go far.
“He will be the next Manyuchi,” Phiri said.
Denes openly talks about his admiration for Manyuchi — his mentor for the last decade.
The two met in Masvingo in 2011, after Denes had pummelled a Masvingo boxer in one of the unsanctioned fights, which were known locally as “Chikwarakwara”.
“I would go to Mucheke in Masvingo from Mashava every Sunday. There was this open fighting that was termed ‘Chikwarakwara’, just like your ‘Wafa Wafa’ type of fights.
“So, I would go there and trade leather with boxers from the town. That is where Manyuchi saw me. I then joined him at his gym at Chevron Hotel in Masvingo.
“That time I was doing my Advanced Level studies, so I had to mix boxing and school.
“I started winning gold medals at the National Youths Games until 2018. I also won gold medals at the 2017 and 2018 Zone IV Games.
“Manyuchi then came up with the idea of the academy. He came up with a team and I was one of the pioneer boxers in the academy.
“I then turned professional and my first fight was at Great Zimbabwe. That fight was promoted by the Charles Manyuchi Academy, and I won by knockout against Alfred Kashiri,” he recalled.
It looks like Denes has been balancing boxing and education as he is also a holder of a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Politics and Public Administration from Great Zimbabwe University.
He is now aiming for a Master’s in International Relations.
“I will take it (Master’s Degree programme); it is a matter of time.
“I would love to pursue a Master’s Degree in International Relations while at the same time doing boxing.
“I hope to put my family in a comfortable position through boxing because it has been tough,” he said.
“Back then, when I was still growing up in Mashava, boxing was viewed as a useless sport because some of the boxers from the area were known for their notoriety.
“But, I want to prove that notion wrong. One can do boxing and still study.
“You need to stay focused. Sometimes I would go for fights while preparing for exams. Things were not easy balancing the two.
“As a kid, I just felt inspired by guys like Victor Masunga and Wilson Mukunyungwa, former amateur boxers at the compound.
“I would spend time in the gym watching them do their thing. My grandmother didn’t want me to go to the gym; she didn’t want me to fight.
“So, when I came back home after those gym visits, she would actually beat me up,” said Denes, whose father, Lawrence, is a member of the Zimbabwe Republic Police.
Charles Manyuchi Sports Academy director, Prince Chibaya, is excited about what the future holds.
“We are actually impressed with the way these boys are actually handling themselves given the situation we are in right now.
“It is actually encouraging to have as much talent in the academy. As we know, Charles (Manyuchi) . . . will soon be hanging up his gloves, but we are rest assured that young guys like Boika and Hassan Milanzi are coming up,” said Chibaya.
Milanzi is set to fight for the African Boxing Union title against Tony Rashid in Tanzania on December 26.
But, for now, all eyes are on Denes, a rising boxing star who has had some mixed fortunes in 2020.
He overcame the disappointment that came with his suspension from the sport early this year by the Zimbabwe National Wrestling and Boxing Control Board for participating in amateur tournaments in Victoria Falls and Senegal without clearance.
The ban was lifted in October, just in time for Denes to launch preparations for an assault at the WBO Africa welterweight belt.
Denes is still undefeated in eight fights since May 2018.AQ
