Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
WHEN Clever Sithole woke up on Saturday morning, he did not have a single dollar in his pocket.
His mobile phone was not functioning.
But his focus was on the looming Trabablas boxing tournament, which happened at Phil Jen Country Lodges in Chivhu on Saturday night.
When the night ended, Sithole was not only the new Trabablas national Super Middleweight champion but he was also a proud owner of a Toyota Fortuner GD6 twin cab.
Sithole defeated Lawrence Chiyangwa to claim the national title, in front of a strong crowd that included several high-profile members of the ruling ZANU PF party.
The boxer, who was raised by a vendor and a farm worker, couldn’t believe his ears when ZANU PF Youth League Political Commissar Taurai Kundishaya, announced that business mogul and ZANU PF Central Committee member Kudakwashe Tagwirei had rewarded him with a brand-new Toyota Fortuner.
Sithole’s opponent, Chiyangwa, was also gifted a single cab truck on the same night.
“I still can’t believe it up to now. To say I am surprised is an understatement,” Sithole told Zimpapers Sports Hub yesterday.
His fight was one of the major highlights of a boxing fiesta that lasted until Sunday Morning.
Over 40 boxers from several countries including DR Congo, Malawi and Zambia converged in Chivhu for the inaugural Trabablas Gloves On boxing tournament, which was also held in honour of President Mnangagwa.
The Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy, in conjunction with Delta Force, promoted the bill.
Some of the local boxers who took part included former Africa Boxing Union Lightweight champion Aliyah “Lantso” Phiri, former World Boxing Federation Africa welterweight champion Evans “Vanso” Husayihwevhu and Chiedza Homakoma.
But the highlight of the show was the national championship fight between Sithole and Chiyangwa.
The fight lasted the distance before Sithole won it on points.
“I am happy and I am also at a loss of words.
“I worked hard for this and I am now looking forward to winning more belts,” Sithole said.
His mother is a vendor at Chivhu Bus Station while his father is a farm worker.
Interestingly, Sithole was also a vendor at the same station before he took up boxing as a profession in 2017.
He had started at amateur level in 2011.
Sithole’s victory on Saturday was his 11th and he now has a 11-5-1 record.
“For someone who grew up in a poor family, I can only thank God for what is happening in my life,” he said.
“My mother is still a vendor, my father is a farm worker but I am now a proud owner of Toyota Fortuner thanks to boxing.
“I want to thank Tagwirei for recognising me in such a huge way. It’s not easy to be recognised among a host of good boxers.
“My parents are happy we now have somewhere to start from.”
The 27-year-old southpaw boxer also paid tribute to his mentor Manyuchi, a former World Boxing Council Silver welterweight champion.
Sithole belongs to the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Stable, which is also home to a number of budding boxers including John Andrew.
“Manyuchi is an inspiration to us all.
“He has seen it all in boxing and he is always telling us to be patient.
“I also want to reach the level he reached at his peak. I am sure, with his guidance I will achieve that.”
The Trabablas Glove On tournament is now a national event and will be staged in the country’s 10 provinces.
Organisers of the event want to use this tournament to fight drug and substance abuse.
