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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
KUDAKWASHE “Take Money” Chiwandire’s challenger Zulina Munoz of Mexico has arrived in the country.
Chiwandire is scheduled to defend her World Boxing Council super-bantamweight interim title against the Mexican at the Harare International Conference Centre on Saturday.
The fight, which was initially billed for August 27 before being moved to October 1, has been hanging in the balance all along due to logistical issues.
But, all is now set for the much-awaited showdown which will mark Zimbabwe’s first time to host a WBC-sanctioned world title fight.
Munoz was oozing confidence when she touched down at the Robert Mugabe International Airport late yesterday.
“I can’t wait for Saturday. I am in good shape and ready for the big fight. I know Kuda Chiwandire is a strong fighter but I am ready to pounce on her,” she said.
“I am not here for holiday. I mean business and that is exactly what I am going to do on Saturday.
“Zimbabwe is a beautiful country and I am looking forward to a good week while I will be adjusting to the weather conditions.
“I am more than prepared, I have always been ready and I will do the work on Saturday.
“This is a big fight and I expect it to be very demanding in terms of both mental and physical. I respect my opponent but I don’t fear her. The reason I am here for is simple. I want to fight and win.”
Chiwandire has been in camp for the past fortnight.
She knows what’s at stake against the Mexican with the winner automatically becoming a mandatory challenger for the actual WBC super-bantamweight title.
Chiwandire won the interim belt after her victory over Zambia’s Catherine Phiri.
The latter, however, was discovered to be a cheat after testing positive for a banned substance after samples taken after that fight back on February 26 revealed the presence of the substance.
Phiri has since been suspended from boxing for the next two years.
That means Chiwandire was brave enough to beat an opponent who had taken a performance-enhancing substance.
And she will be aiming to summon the same or even more energy when she faces her more experienced opponent on Saturday.
Promoters of the fight, Delta Force Academy, have since revealed the tickets will cost US$10 for standard entry while the ringside viewers will have to fork out US$50 with tables of 10 going for US$1 000.
Online Reporter