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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
BOXING is set for a huge transformation following the official launch of a bumper tournament to be promoted by renowned American, Edward Mendy, in August.
This fiesta will mark the start of monthly series, which will attract boxers, from across the globe.
The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board have partnered American-based Lion Heart Productions, whose chief executive, Mendy, has been in the country for the past week.
Mendy arrived here via the United Arab Emirates where his stable hosted another successful tournament, two weeks ago, where Brendon “Boika” Denes, took part in.
He has been touring the country and took the opportunity to formalise partnerships with the ZNBWCB, local promoters, Box Africa, as well as a safari company, Monkey Safaris.
Mendy is the manager of Justin Mayweather, the son of the iconic Floyd.
WBU junior middleweight champion, Lee “Aberdeen Assassin” McAllister is expected to be the highlight of the first tournament.
Addressing the media, ZNBWB general-secretary, Lawrence Zimbudzana, said the tournament wouldn’t have come at a better time.
“We have been working tirelessly as a board, to revive the sport of boxing, in the country,” Zimbudzana said.
“It’s a fact that boxing has been on a free-fall but we have been making some remarkable progress, in recent years.
“But, the Covid-19 pandemic even threatened to put us off the radar as we couldn’t stage any fights, let alone training.
“There are a number of boxers who need to defend their titles this year but we haven’t been able to stage any tournaments to give them the platform.
“And, this tournament comes at the right time, when we were busy trying to weave out strategies to come back strongly.
“This is an investment opportunity for all Zimbabweans, we are happy to announce this tournament and we still have time to prepare and make as perfect as we can.
“This comes as we are still setting up our board, which will work hand in hand with Mendy, and other partners, to make the tournament a memorable one.”
Mendy’s Lion Heart Productions hosts “Thursday Night Series” in the United States and he confirmed that he will introduce the same concept in Zimbabwe.
“I am happy to have sealed this deal and I promise to stage a memorable tournament in Zimbabwe come August 14,” said Mendy.
“This is going to be a huge tournament with big-name boxers coming to fight here.
“I am committed to staging tournaments every month, thereafter, and I believe that, in a way, this will help the sport to grow in leaps and bounds.
“I naturally love Zimbabwe and I was in Victoria Falls yesterday (Monday) and that’s the definition of beauty.
“A whole lot of local boxers, African top fighters and those drawn from the world will all come down here and I tell you, we are headed for exciting times.
“Zimbabwe is beautiful and has got beautiful people. The hospitality is top-class and the world should know how beautiful the country is and how beautiful her people are.
“After the August 14 tournament, we are going to be staging a monthly series which will be one of the biggest regular events in the continent of Africa.”
Mendy took time to praise Denes, who beat Afghan star Ahmed Samir Dawran, in a non-title bout in Dubai, UAE which his stable promoted.
“Denes is a top, top fighter and I am sure there are many boxers in Zimbabwe who are very good.
“I was very impressed with how he fights. He is definitely destined for the stars.”
There were reports Denes lost the fight against Dawran with some pictures circulating on social media showing the referee hoisting the Afghan’s hand.
“The judges’ points were all 57-56 in favour of Denes but the referee initially made a mistake before immediately making the correction. However, the pictures had already been taken.”
Bongani Ndlovu
Online Reporter