Chiwandire eyes WBC belt

Langton Nyakwenda

JUST as her moniker suggests, this could be a chance for Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire to make some cash.

But here is the kicker, there could be little time for the female boxer to celebrate the Christmas holidays as she is preparing for the World Boxing Council Super Bantamweight Interim World Championship title fight.

And as they say, there’s no gain where there is no pain.

Chiwandire has been forced to make so many sacrifices as she gears up for what she describes as “the biggest of opportunity” in her life time.

The 25-year-old mother of three — including one-year and six-months old twins- squares up against Zambian legendary boxer, Catherine Phiri, at the Government Complex in Lusaka on January 22 for the coveted WBC title. Chiwandire will become the first Zimbabwean female boxer to challenge for a top WBC belt. Charles Manyuchi, who now holds the World Boxing Federation middleweight title, is a former holder of the WBC Silver belt.

“There will be little time to celebrate Christmas with family because I am working very hard.

“The main focus for now is on the WBC title fight,” Chiwandire told The Sunday Mail Sport during the week.

“I am happy I got this rare opportunity, I am motivated a lot and want to do the nation proud. This is an opportunity that I have to utilise,” said the multi-talented Chiwandire.

She is a former footballer who played for women’s football top flight side Cyclone Queens.
Chiwandire has also done karate and kickboxing.

“I have played football and done karate and kick boxing, but this WBC title could be the biggest achievement in my sporting career,” she says.

Chiwandire is training twice daily, under the watchful eye of veteran coach Clyde Musonda. She is aware the task ahead is a mammoth one. It’s a make or break fight for the Highfield-bred star pugilist.

She comes up against an experienced Phiri, who will have the advantage of fighting on home soil. The 34-year-old Phiri belongs to Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions, who were once the handlers of Manyuchi when his career soared between 2015 and 2017.

Phiri has 20 bouts under her name, during which she won 16 and lost just four fights.
Her last fight was a loss to Fatuma Zarika of Kenya in a WBC Super bantamweight held at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre in Nairobi on March 23, 2019.

“I know I am facing a veteran boxer, but that does not scare me.
“I am going to Zambia to take the belt, and bring it back home,” Chiwandire declared.

So focused on the fight is Chiwandire that she has had to leave her infant twins in the care of her parents.

“I thank my parents for helping me a lot in terms of my kids’ welfare.

“I am always away training, and they are looking after my children. “It’s almost a month and a half away from home now, but my mind is focused on the title fight because I know my children are okay,” she said.

Yet, Chiwandire quit boxing temporarily in 2020, when coronavirus bit the industry.
Female boxing in Zimbabwe lacks adequatemple support.

While Manyuchi has often received massive financial support whenever he is fighting, there has been little done for female boxers such as Chiwandire who is actually fighting for a more valuable belt than Manyuchi’s WBF.

“Sponsorship is the main problem. There’s nothing much we can do without the resources,” lamented Chiwandire.

“I need a proper camp, good food, training kits and I also have to take care of my children.

“I think female boxers also need more support from the corporate world, and from Government as well, because most of the time we are raising the national flag higher.”

Chiwandire, who is regarded as the best super bantamweight female boxer, has a 4-2-1 record.