adminLovemore Dube Sports Editor
A BOXING delegation from Harare headed by Arifonso Zvenyika is expected in Bulawayo tomorrow to meet stakeholders. Bulawayo-based Zimbabwe Board of Boxing and Wrestling Control member Gabriel Muchenje confirmed this on Tuesday. There is a new boxing board headed by former headmaster Paul Nenjarama which replaced one that was led by Richard Hondo at the beginning of the year.
This will be their first initiative to get a feel of things outside Harare.
Zvenyika, a former Commonwealth flyweight champion, was among boxers and former pugilists who advocated for change in the administration of the sport last year.
Not much has moved since they took over with the sport still begging for resuscitation and sponsorship.
“Arifonso and one or two people will be here on Friday on a fact finding mission. They want to get a feel of the situation in the city and the region. They will meet stakeholders drawn from the city and the region who will be able to make it.
“It is a welcome development. We want to see boxing getting back to its feet and there is commitment from the board and all involved that we should open a new chapter,” said Muchenje, a veteran fight judge and referee. Boxing is enjoying a purple patch following some good results by African Boxing Council welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi. The World Boxing Council ranked boxer, who won the ABC belt in June, has already had a successful defence of the crown and the sky looks the limit to the good boxer from Masvingo.
“It’s time to take advantage of that profile and publicity the sport is enjoying. We have a product that has proved our boxing is still very much alive and we are confident Charles will go places. There are other several boxers with potential who will benefit once we have a vibrant set up,” said Muchenje. Bulawayo now has only one professional boxing stable led by Phillip Striker.
Mordecai Donga is the only promoter from this part of the country and he is yet to stage a tournament.
Once vibrant stables like Blow by Blow and Rampage Ring Promotions have been inactive for years despite raising the profile of the sport.
Online Reporter