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Tadious Manyepo
Sports Reporter
BOXER Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire is relieved and stressed.
The WBC interim super-bantamweight champion arrived back home from a fruitful 10-day camp in South Africa on Saturday night.
While she had a time of her life, mixing and mingling with some of the best Zimbabwean sportspersons like Edelbert Dinha, Chiwandire admitted yesterday she was feeling a bit anxious.
The 26-year-old arrived in Johannesburg, South Africa, on August 11 for what was supposed to be her final preparatory training camp before her scheduled title defence against Mexican challenger Zulina Munoz on August 27.
She received a rousing welcome in South Africa, courtesy of funeral services company, Zororo Phumulani, which is powered by Doves Zimbabwe.
The South Africa-based company made all her stay in South Africa particularly enjoyable after arranging her high-level meeting with Zimbabwean football legends Engelbert Dinha and Innocent Chikoya.
They also paid for her, together with her manager/coach Clyde Musonda, to watch the massive South African Premiership football Derby between Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria last weekend. Chiwandire also got to perfect her ring-craft, shrugging off some rust she had gathered with two sparring sessions.
“The South African camp was an eye-opener for me. Before I say anything else, I would like to issue out a big shout to my sponsors, KGK Logistics, for organising and funding the trip.
“I would also like to reserve a special mention to Zororo Phumulani for the logistical arrangements they put together for me to see to it that my stay in South Africa was as enjoyable as it was unforgettable,” said Chiwandire.
“I had a time of my life, thanks to the two partners I have mentioned earlier.
“I got to shake off some ring rust through a lot of ring-work. I also had two good sparring sessions which I think benefitted me a lot. I am at my best ebb in terms of both physical and mental readiness.
“I got to meet some of the football legends from Zimbabwe, Innocent Chikoya and Engelbert Dinha, and I felt so proud to be in their midst as they also imparted some special advice one would expect from legends like them.”
However, while in South Africa, Chiwandire was taken aback when it was announced her scheduled bout had been moved to October 1 at the same venue in Harare.
While postponements are common, Chiwandire yesterday revealed the current state of affairs is stressing her up.
“I went to South Africa in a good shape. In fact, I was ready to fight although I felt I had some work to do in the ring.
“Then as I was readying for the final touches, came the postponement. You know what that does in terms of one’s mentality. It really affected me.
“And I am back now, I am ready but on the ground, I am not seeing any movement suggesting a fight of that magnitude is taking place in a matter of six weeks.
“I am passionately appealing to the authorities to make sure the fight sees the light of the day. I know what this fight will do, not only for me, but for the country.
“But, well, I will continue training so that the I maintain both my physical and mental shape.
“I last had a competitive bout when I defeated Zambia’s Catherine Phiri to claim the belt on February 26 in Lusaka. That’s a long time ago in boxing and I had hoped to face Munoz this August.
“I guess it’s an opportunity I can’t miss.”
The Chiwandire versus Munoz bout will be the first-ever WBC sanctioned tie to be hosted in this country.
Chiwandire’s trainer Musonda was not available for comment, especially in terms of the logistical arrangements, yesterday.
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