A street fighter who became a champion

Langton Nyakwenda

A LOT has happened in Tinashe “The Chairman” Madziwane’s life between 2009, when he became a professional boxer, and a fortnight ago, when he finally became an international champion.

The 33-year-old captured the World Boxing Federation (WBF) Intercontinental super featherweight title after knocking out Yobe Kamnyonyo of Malawi in the second round in Chivhu.

Yet he almost quit the sport a few months before this momentous achievement.

Madziwane’s road to glory has been bumpy.

The boxer was actually discovered by the legendary Zvenyika Arifonso in Mbare, where he was used to street fighting.

“I was fighting another kid from Mbare when Arifonso passed through and immediately stopped the fight, before encouraging me to try boxing.

“At first, I didn’t like the idea, but Arifonso kept pushing me and I started training and later turned professional,” Madziwane says.

He turned pro after defeating Zenzo Ncube in Harare on August 30, 2009, the same year Charles Manyuchi also graduated into the professional league.

The fact that they both turned pro in the same year has kept Madziwane and Manyuchi close to this day.

It was Manyuchi who counselled and supported Madziwane when the chips were down.

He had wanted to quit after his loss to Namibian Mateus Heita in Walvis Bay on December 4, 2021.

He failed to come back for round six after complaining of chest pains.

“To tell you the truth, I wanted to quit boxing for good,” he told The Sunday Mail Sport.

“I wanted to quit not because of age, but I wanted to focus on other things. Sometimes, if you lose, you just feel like it’s the end of the road, not knowing you can still rise again.

“Yes, I had some chest pains but that loss in Namibia was so painful because I really wanted that belt.”

That all changed when Manyuchi decided to pay Madziwane a visit in Mbare.

The two drove around the suburb, discussing both social and professional issues.

“We always check on each other because we are close friends,” revealed Madziwane.

“When he comes to Harare, he visits me in Mbare and drives me around, and we are always talking about boxing and social issues.

“So, during one of those drives, he told me, ‘Chairman, it’s not the end of the road.’ He said he was sure I would make it if I came back.

“You know what? Charles (Manyuchi) is always giving other boxers advice.”

Prominent promoter and trainer Clyde Musonda also played a crucial role in the pugilist’s story.

He was in his corner when he clinched the WBF Intercontinental title two weeks ago.

That win pushed Madziwane’s record to 18-14-0.

He had won titles before, but they were local, so this makes the latest victory sweeter.

The Mbare-bred boxer is a former national Super bantamweight champion.

“I was fortunate that my comeback coincided with this opportunity to fight for a WBF title and I won it. This belt is so important to me.

“It’s the first step towards bigger things to come.”

At 33, he is probably in the twilight of his career, but he believes he can still box his way to the top.

“I had one goal when I was preparing for that fight, and that goal was to win. If I had lost that fight, I was going to retire straight after. I had planned to make that announcement in the ring.

“But I am lucky to have a coach like Tarisai Ponde, who fine-tuned me. I was sharp and raring to go . . .”

He becomes the latest international boxing champion to come out of Mbare.

In the past, the suburb churned out stars such as the late Proud “Kilimanjaro” Chinembiri, Gilbert “Giro” Josamu and Jao Mohammed Afonso, popularly known as Tar Baby.

Former Commonwealth champion Arifonso also hails from Mbare.

“We have a lot of upcoming boxers in Mbare.

“I pray that we unearth more good boxers,” he said.

Kilimanjaro is a former African heavyweight champion who ruled the continent in the 1980s.

Madziwane, however, feels more indebted to Arifonso.

“He (Arifonso) was my first boxing coach.

“Back then, I thought I was a very good footballer because everyone wanted me in their team.

“As youngsters, we would bet on these games, and I was a tough boy, who would dispute results if they went against our team,” he added.

“I would fight opponents . . . and that’s how Zvenyika discovered me.

“It happened that one day, Zvenyika passed by when I was beating some opponent on the street and he encouraged me to try proper boxing.”

The rest, as they say, is history.

Madziwane is now an international champion and even corporate sponsors now want to be associated with him.

“Boxing taught me a lot of things, including the importance of discipline and dedication.

“I met a lot of people across the world.

“Boxing taught me to look after my health. Remember, we get tested every time we are about to fight.

“Boxing took me away from drugs. I do not drink every day because I am busy training.”

The sport also connects him with his childhood friend and popular Zimdancehall chanter Kelvin Kusikwenyu, also known as Killer T.

Killer T is also known as “The Chairman”, the same nickname Madziwane has adopted in boxing.

“I grew up with Killer T in Mbare and I also love his music.

“Actually, I use Killer T’s songs for my ring walk.

“He inspires me a lot, so most people started calling me The Chairman . . .

“Killer T is the chairman of Zimdancehall and I am the chairman of the boxing ring.”

Interestingly, there is a connection between Zimdancehall and boxing.

Most boxing tournaments are spiced up by Zimdancehall acts.

Jah Signal provided the musical entertainment during the tournament in Chivhu.

“Music motivates us boxers,” says Madziwane.

“Most of the boxers come from the ghetto and a lot of Zimdancehall artistes also come from these areas, so we share the same background.”

* X (formerly Twitter): @LangtonGuraz