tawandamusarurwa
Sports Reporter
AFTER clocking 14 years in a sport that took him to Asia and Europe, popular Zimbabwean boxer Charles Manyuchi could finally retire from the ring with a goodbye bout in May.
The 33-year-old Manyuchi is set to defend his World Boxing Federation super middleweight title against Sheriff Kasongo of DR Congo before calling it quits.
Dubbed the “Grand Finale”, the fight could be staged at the Harare International Conference Centre on May 27.
“Behind-the-scenes activities and negotiations have already begun. The boxing board has been made aware,” a source close to the Manyuchi camp said.
It will be the end of an era for Manyuchi, who charmed the nation with his dazzling boxing skills, which propelled him to the upper echelons of the World Boxing Council (WBC). Manyuchi is a former WBC Silver welterweight champion, who fought and won in countries like Burkina Faso, Italy and Russia.
As Manyuchi prepares to depart the stage, he leaves the sport in safe hands, as rising female pugilist Kuda “Take Money” Chiwandire has proven that she can match the world’s best.
Despite her failure to wrestle the WBC Super bantamweight belt from Mexican Yamileth Mercado in Chihuahua last weekend, Chiwandire managed to show the world the stuff she is made of.
The 27-year-old lost narrowly against her more experienced opponent and, in the process, marketed herself to some of the world’s top promoters, who watched the fight from the ringside or on television. Chiwandire is also no longer the WBC Interim Super bantamweight champion. She lost the title the moment she entered the ring to take on Mercado.
But it should be noted that a lot of other factors, other than her skill and ability, contributed to Chiwandire’s loss.
Delays in getting her visa to Mexico and flight cancellations resulted in the boxer enduring a chaotic trip.
She only arrived in the North American country a few hours before the fight and had no time to rest and acclimatise.
“I really tried my best,” a weary Chiwandire told The Sunday Mail Sport.
She was in South Africa — where she spent a couple of days after the fight — before flying back into Zimbabwe on Thursday night.
It is surely not the end but the beginning for Chiwandire, who only has 10 professional fights. She can still repair her reputation with just two good wins.
Chiwandire is still regarded as a top boxer, especially after defeating former world champion Catherine Phiri and top 10 pugilist Zulina Munoz on her way to Mercado.
For now, the boxer has to take a rest, enjoy the dollars she pocketed in Mexico and then prepare for her next assignment.
“We are taking a rest for a few days, then we will hold a press conference, maybe on Tuesday, where we will update Zimbabwe on everything,” Chiwandire’s manager, Clyde Musonda, said.
It must be noted, however, that it will be difficult for Chiwandire to get another shot at the WBC gold belt anytime soon, as there are a number of top boxers in line to challenge Mercado.
“It’s a lost opportunity for the girl, let’s not hide the fact.
“Her handlers should have foreseen all the travelling hiccups,’’ said one local boxing analyst. “But this should be a lesson for the country. This was our first time challenging for a WBC gold belt, so next time, I think it will be better,’’ he said.
Meanwhile, Monalisa Sibanda has a task to restore Zimbabwe’s pride when she takes aim at the African Boxing Union title against Mapule Ngubane in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, today.
The veteran boxer left the country on Friday.
Online Reporter