malvernmugadzikwa
Sports Reporter
SIX years before his visit to Zimbabwe, boxing icon Floyd Mayweather’s exploits were already being celebrated locally.
In his blockbuster song “Pamamonya Ipapo”, released in 2017, coincidentally the same year Mayweather hung up his gloves, the late Soul Jah Love showed his lyrical and rhyming prowess in a short and yet powerful tribute to the American superstar.
“Hobho zvibhakera kunge Mayweather, rexine yakasiyana neleather,” Soul Jah Love sang in apparent praise of Mayweather’s boxing skills.
The boxer retired at the age of 40 with an extraordinary 50-0 record.
He is regarded as one of the best boxers to ever put on the gloves.
He is also respected for popularising the welterweight boxing division which, before his ascension, played second fiddle to the heavyweight category dominated by big names such as the late Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Mike Tyson, Evander Holyfield and recently Antony Joshua.
Mayweather, the undisputed former World Boxing Council welterweight champion, is now one of the richest sports personalities in the world and still attracts global attention when he engages in exhibition fights.
His tour of Zimbabwe last week was global news.
Now 46 years old, Mayweather touched down at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport around 8.30am on Thursday aboard his US$50 million private jet.
Star-struck airport employees could be seen jostling to take photos of the superstar as he disembarked from the plane.
He was received by Scott Sakupwanya, the man credited with making his visit a reality.
“We are in the motherland, babe; I am back home, babe!” Mayweather screamed as he walked towards the exit.
He danced, clapped, whistled in joy and briefly showed his drum-beating skills, before he was whisked away in a cavalcade of expensive vehicles.
Mayweather’s itinerary included a public appearance at Mabvuku’s Number One Ground, where he showcased his abilities with a punching bag and skipping rope.
An extravagant dinner was hosted for the American on Thursday night before he met President Mnangagwa on Friday.
Mayweather left for South Africa yesterday morning to begin the second leg of his Motherland Tour.
But the American leaves a Zimbabwe that is buzzing with optimism.
There is a feeling local boxing will never be the same again, as Mayweather’s visit is expected to trigger more interest in the sport.
Veteran female boxer Monalisa “Queen of the Jungle” Sibanda agrees.
“We are proud of ourselves as Zimbabweans; this is a rare chance we have been given to interact with a boxing superstar of Mayweather’s stature,” said Sibanda.
“I was given an opportunity to do an exhibition in front of Mayweather here in Mabvuku, where I was born and bred. To have Mayweather here in the suburb is like a dream come true.
“This is a kind of event that happens once in a lifetime . . .
“We can’t believe this is really happening. We have Mayweather here on the dusty streets of Mabvuku.
“Credit goes to our aspiring Member of Parliament Scott Sakupwanya for making this possible.”
According to some boxing experts, Mayweather’s visit to Zimbabwe and South Africa will leave a lasting legacy of the sport in Southern Africa.
Namibian boxing promoter Nestor Tobias described the visit as “a blessing” for Zimbabwe and expects the country to reap major rewards.
“This is one visit that puts Zimbabwe on the world map,” said Tobias, who was in the country last week to watch the Pound-for-Pound boxing tournament held in Harare on Friday night.
“Zimbabwean boxing has a bright future and this visit will trigger more interest in the sport amongst the locals.
“But I think boxing in Zimbabwe needs more corporate support.”
Local promoter Clyde Musonda, who organised the Pound-for-Pound tournament, has urged local boxers to keep working hard and emulate Mayweather.
“The reason we keep putting up fights for these local boxers is we want to keep them in action and give them opportunities to shine.
“I guess most of them will be inspired by Mayweather, whose visit to this country is historic,” said Musonda of Deltaforce Boxing Academy.
Online Reporter