The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
A FEW weeks before he boarded the bus to Zambia to set up his boxing base, Charles Manyuchi went to Mushongandebvu Street in Mbare, Harare. The boxer, then 22, had just signed a three-year contract with Zambian boxing promotions company Oriental Quarries and needed expert advice.
He chose Arifonso “Mosquito” Zvenyika as his mentor, hence the trip to Mbare in December, 2012.
Former Commonwealth champion Zvenyika spent over three hours sharing his experiences with Manyuchi (which means “bees” in Shona) and the pugilist was never the same after that encounter. Fast forward three-and-a-half years and Manyuchi is now the World Boxing Council silver welterweight champion.
Manyuchi recently returned to Mushongandebvu – the same street that also produced the late legendary boxer Jao Mohammed Afonso, better known as Tar Baby – to pay homage to Zvenyika. Fortune is smiling on Manyuchi. He arrived in Mbare chauffeur-driven in a Mercedes Benz provided by his local sponsors Mr T35.
Zvenyika, on the other hand, is struggling to make ends meet – but he still has plenty of advice for Manyuchi. “I was a two-time Commonwealth champion in the late 1990s but I have nothing to show for it today,” Zvenyika advised Manyuchi amid a flood of emotions. “Invest your earnings wisely, don’t do like I did and above all continue to train hard.
“Train like a nobody who is seeking to become a somebody. Getting to the top is easy but staying there is something else, it demands a lot of hardwork.”
Manyuchi is expected back in camp mid-July as he prepares to face Ibrahimu Class of Tanzania in a non-title fight in Zambia on August 27. The Manyuchi-Class bout will be the main supporting fight for the World Boxing Council gold bantamweight title match between Zambian boxing queen Catherine Phiri and Gibisela Tsabalala of South Africa.
And Manyuchi’s much-touted WBC silver welterweight title defence on home soil is still “very much alive” according to his manager Chris Malunga. “Charles will defend his title in Zimbabwe and I am working on it. I will announce the opponent and date soon,” said Malunga.
At least US$160 000 is required to stage the WBC event in Harare and the Sports and Recreation Ministry has begun working on the modalities in conjunction with Oriental Quarries. Manyuchi is itching to trade leather in front of his home fans.
“It has to happen here in Harare,” he said. “Zimbabweans have to get a first hand feel of my boxing skills. Legends like Mosquito have to watch me live in action. He inspired me a lot.
“I came here to Mbare back in 2012 seeking guidance and he gave me. I am the champion today because boxers like Mosquito, the great Langton ‘Schoolboy’ Tinago and the late Proud ‘Kilimanjaro’ Chinembiri laid the foundation. “I recognise the important role these legends played hence my decision to come and pay homage to my boxing brother.”
Zvenyika shot to fame when he claimed the then vacant Commonwealth flyweight title on January 26, 1998 after knocking out Paul Weir of Scotland in the United Kingdom.
He successfully defended his title against Keith Knox, also of Scotland, six months later before relinquishing the belt to Damaen Kelly of Northern Ireland on December 12, 1998.
Today he is full of regrets. “My life was in the fast lane then, everything I wanted I could get. I spent money recklessly, but now look where I am. . . struggling.
“Some people pretend to like you Charles today but they don’t like you, they are just friends with your money so be very careful,” warned Zvenyika as Manyuchi was about to bid farewell.
