tawandamusarurwa
Langton Nyakwenda
THE euphoria around Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire’s World Boxing Council (WBC) excursion is slowly dissipating.
She is back home, relaxing and adjusting to her new-found fame and modest fortune.
Her quest to become the WBC Super Bantamweight champion came unstuck when she lost on points to title holder Yamileth Mercado of Mexico in Chihuahua on March 18.
Focus now shifts to the local scene, where a number of tournaments are being lined up by promoters, who are, however, grappling with a tough operating environment.
Corporates have cut down on sponsorship and most boxing promoters have been left with the burden of bankrolling tournaments.
“Holding a boxing tournament is like a donation,” said veteran promoter Stalin Mau Mau.
Delta Force Academy, who also handle Chiwandire, need at least US$10 000 to host the Pound for Pound series, which returns on April 28 at Harare Showgrounds.
Dubbed “Back 2 Business”, the tournament will see seasoned boxers like Tinashe “Chairman” Madziwane and Patience Mastara returning to the ring.
Unheralded middleweight boxer Farai Makombe, Ndodana Sibanda and Revai Madondo are also expected to take part.
Makombe is a promising boxer, whose skills took him from Gwanda to Harare, thanks to Delta Force Academy.
His exploits so far have left Delta Force Academy’s Clyde Musonda purring.
“Makombe is a very good boxer, a potential national champion. Watch the space,” said Musonda.
But he is agonising over the sheer amount of money needed to hold a local boxing tournament.
“It’s always difficult to host a tournament. Without corporate support, it becomes worse, but I am glad we have some partners who have promised to assist us.
“The next Pound for Pound series we are hosting at the Showgrounds will cost us at least US$10 000,” he said.
The cheapest ticket will go for US$5, the VIP ticket will cost US$20 and those willing to watch from the ringside will have to part with US$50.
A few boxing promoters are left in Zimbabwe. Only Mau, Delta Force Academy and Prosper Chibaya of the Charles Manyuchi Academy have soldiered on against the odds.
Chibaya is the only female boxing promoter in the country.
“We are not in a comfortable situation nationally. The economy is still not vibrant but things are changing for the better.
“But I wish things could change yesterday, but that’s not how things work,” lamented Mau.
The long-serving promoter has spent over US$20 000 hosting tournaments in the last three years.
“Financially, it is very difficult at the moment to hold a tournament. You are talking of an average of US$5 000 per tournament, a modest tournament for that matter.
“We have been doing this for decades and it becomes a bit tight because we are doing this for free.”
Consequently, the boxers also suffer.
On average, they get US$100 per fight, which translates to less than US$20 per round, given that most local bouts are fought over six rounds.
Those that are lucky pocket US$200.
The corporate world has also not been smiling at boxing despite the achievements by Manyuchi and, lately, Chiwandire.
However, Mau Mau is confident Chiwandire’s recent performances will “lure more corporates” to boxing.
“The corporate world also wants to see results, and the Chiwandire’s achievements will do a lot of good.”
Mau Mau has three tournaments lined up this year.
“Once I stop putting up a tournament, nobody does, because they know there is no money. It’s not an investment.
“But I will always remain the unsung hero. I am happy when I see progress in boxing.
“At the end of the day, it’s not in my blood to really talk about what figures I have spent. I spent it willingly; I was not forced to do that.”
* Twitter: @LangtonGuraz
Online Reporter