adminTadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
KUDAKWASHE “Take Money” Chiwandire has been handed another opportunity to lay her hands on a boxing crown again.
Exactly 18 months after losing her WBC world title challenge match against Yamileth Mercado of Mexico in Chihuahua, the super bantamweight star can also start building up towards the same title.
The Zimbabwean is scheduled to engage South Africa hotshot Nomsa Ngema at Dundee, Durban, South Africa on October 12 for the WBF super bantamweight intercontinental title.
And with so much rust having accumulated on her, Chiwandire has been training hard under the watchful eyes of one of the most sought-after coaches in Zimbabwe Tarisai Ponde.
“I am both happy and jittery going into the match-up against Nomsa Ngema.
“I was longing to return to the ring. You know if you are a boxer, you should always be in that squared circle battling to score points and winning matches, getting the experience and the joy,” said Chiwandire.
“That has not happened since March last year when I went to Mexico to battle against Mercado.
“It feels like I have been in the wilderness wandering and wondering.
“I have been trying to reorient my focus and that I have done.
“I have been working in the gym and doing sparring. I just hope I will be up there when the day arrives.”
Chiwandire is now a self-actor after parting ways with her stable, Delta force Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing Academy two months ago.
However, it is Delta force director Clyde Musonda who is promoting her upcoming fight having put together all the logistics.
“I am no longer fighting under the Deltaforce Boxing Academy banner. I am a free agent for now.
“But we are in good books since our separation was by mutual consent and that is why you see Clyde Musonda is the promoter of the upcoming bout,” added Chiwandire.
“We still help out each other and that is what boxing is all about. It’s never about the boxer alone.
“It might not be a team sport but it involves a team to make it happen.
“I am keen to return to my peak and the journey re-starts on October 12.
“I don’t know a lot about Ngema but I have been up there and I believe that experience should come in handy to propel me to victory.
“I am working very hard to be able to achieve all that.
“But since I am now a self-actor, I am also finding it difficult to get sponsors and I will not be going for camp due to limited resources.”
Chiwandire is the best female boxer to emerge from this country, having won the WBC interim title first defeating Zambia giant Catherine Phiri in Lusaka in February 2022 and then defending it in Harare against Mexican Zulina Munoz later in the same year.
Chiwandire yesterday took time to mix and mingle with friends watching the Heart League Cup tournament at the Heart Stadium.
Online Reporter