Sundaymail Editor
Sports Reporter
IT seems the Mexicans are worried that Zimbabwe star pugilist Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire might cause an upset in Chihuahua and dethrone their own Yamileth Mercado, who holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super bantamweight title.
This is why they have reportedly inserted some controversial clauses in the contract for the bout, some of which appear to have incensed Chiwandire’s handlers — Delta Force.
As it stands, no contract has been signed for the world title fight.
All that has been agreed on is the date — March 18 — and the purse money, which might see Chiwandire pocketing over US$20 000.
It has since emerged that, apart from demanding an automatic rematch should Mercado lose, the Mexicans also want the rights to promote Chiwandire’s first two fights if she becomes the world champion.
However, the Zimbabwean boxer’s camp is refusing to sign the contract until the controversial clauses are removed.
Delta Force feel the Mexican promoters want to make money out of Chiwandire, even if their boxer loses the world championship.
Should the deadlock persist, the fight could go for a purse bid, where promoters bid for the right to a professional boxing match. The promoter who bids highest will win the rights to host the fight, and the figures agreed will be divided by a purse split, which determines the share each boxer will earn from the match.
Delta Force are prepared to go that route, especially if Mercado’s camp refuse to scrap the clause that allows them to promote Chiwandire’s two fights should she win both the upcoming fight and the rematch.
“We have agreed on almost everything — the purse and the venue, as well as the date.
“However, we are differing on one issue, and that is, the Mexicans want to make money out of our boxer even if their boxer loses,” said Clyde Musonda of Delta Force.
“From my own observation, the Mexicans have seen that the girl (Chiwandire) is bad news. It’s like they are scared their boxer will lose the crown.
“They rate Chiwandire highly.
“They know that she went to Zambia and beat former champion Catherine Phiri. Then she beat Zulina Munoz, who is also highly rated.
“That alone is a big warning to them.”
Phiri is ranked the fifth-best Super bantamweight boxer by the WBC, while Munoz is rated ninth.
Chiwandire, whose modest record stands at 6-2-1, is yet to break into the WBC top 10.
However, the Mexicans might also be playing mind games to frustrate the Zimbabwean camp ahead of the much-awaited world title fight.
Chiwandire earned the right to challenge for the world title when she successfully defended her WBC Interim Super bantamweight title against Munoz in Harare last year.
She won the Interim belt on February 26, 2022, when she outclassed Phiri in Lusaka, Zambia.
“That win against Munoz was a big warning sign to Mercado,” went on Musonda.
“Remember, initially, she (Mercado) wanted to defend her belt against Munoz, who then went on to lose by a unanimous decision.
“We are open to a rematch should we win the belt, although it is not mandatory.
“In the event that we fail to agree on the terms, we then go for a purse bid, which I think is the most likely outcome.”
Online Reporter