Sundaymail Editor
Langton Nyakwenda
THE countdown to this historic boxing bout has begun.
And, it’s now exactly 20 days before Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire finally defends her World Boxing Council (WBC) Interim Super bantamweight title against Zulina Munoz of Mexico.
The much-anticipated fight, which has been postponed twice already, will be staged at the Harare International Conference Centre on October 1.
Financial constraints forced promoters of the fight, Delta Force, to delay the fight, but it looks like there is now light at the end of the tunnel.
Delta Force were last week engaging Government officials to organise a fundraising dinner, whose details would be made public this week.
Over US$150 000 is required to stage the fight.
This is the first time Zimbabwe will be hosting a female WBC title fight.
Renowned pugilist Charles Manyuchi was the last Zimbabwean to hold a WBC belt.
The former Silver welterweight champion has since thrown his weight behind Chiwandire.
“It’s good for Zimbabwe to have boxers fighting for prestigious belts like the WBC. I held the titles before, and it’s now Kuda (Chiwandire)’s time to carry on with that legacy,” said Manyuchi.
“She just has to keep focused. I am confident she will perform well and keep the country’s flag high.
“We are rallying behind her,” added Manyuchi, who is a former WBC International welterweight champion.
Chiwandire says she is “120 percent” mentally ready for this fight despite recent hiccups.
She actually thinks the highly rated Munoz is “not really that good”.
The 27-year-old boxer has adjusted her training schedule as the fight nears and is now weighing 57kgs, just 2kgs outside the stipulated weight.
“We are now taking it easy as we approach the fight, but, mentally, I am 120 percent focused.
“Physically, I feel I am in the best shape possible,” Chiwandire told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“The postponements didn’t affect me negatively.
“In fact, it was a blessing in disguise, because there were some grey areas we needed to sort out and also some moves we needed to polish up.”
Not only is she eight years younger than Munoz, but Chiwandire is also short on experience compared to the 35-year-old Mexican.
Munoz has won 53 fights, during which she lost four and drew two in a career that spans over 17 years.
She is a former WBC Silver and International bantamweight champion, who has also laid her hands on the WBC world super flyweight belt.
Munoz is now preparing for her 60th professional fight, while Chiwandire has a modest 5-2-1 record.
According to Chiwandire, Munoz’s stats are irrelevant.
“I have seen a lot of Zulina Munoz’s fights and I am actually shocked how she has won so many fights.
“She is not that good,” reckons Chiwandire.
“I promise you, if she plays the way she does against me, I will floor her.
“Munoz is going to fall down in Harare come October.”
Chiwandire is the first Zimbabwean woman to hold a WBC belt after she clinched the WBC Interim Super bantamweight title when she defeated favourite Catherine Phiri of Zambia in Lusaka on February 27.
“It gives me the urge, zvinondipa manyemwe,” she said.
“It also shows that women can achieve big things if given the opportunities.
“There are no boundaries for me insofar as boxing is concerned. I want to achieve all I can. With discipline and focus, nothing is impossible,” she added.
If Chiwandire wins against Munoz, she will be in line for a shot at the WBC gold belt.
The belt is currently held by another Mexican, Almendra Yamileth Mercado Duarte, who is better known as Yamileth Mercado.
Online Reporter