Expectations high on Manyuchi

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
AS the World Boxing Council welterweight silver match between Charles Manyuchi and Qudratillo Abduqaxorov draws closer, expectations are high that it will be another success story for the Zimbabwean boxer.

Manyuchi is defending his WBC welterweight silver belt against Abduqaxorov at the OCBC Arena next Saturday.

He has shaped his international profile while fighting away from home, beating Russia’s Dmitry Mikhaylenko to becoming the welterweight silver champion of the world.

And, as usual, back home all eyes will be on him when he steps into the ring on March 25.

Former Commonwealth champion, Alfonso Zvenyika, believes the Zimbabwean boxing star has what it takes to retain the belt.

“I can’t say much, but I just want to say it depends on the way he trains, that’s what can benefit him and what makes him to become a winner. The way he has fought to become the WBC champion if he fights like that he can conquer again, but depending on how he has been training.

“So I just say to him, he has to train hard to keep his motive of becoming a gold champion. What he has earned comes from hard training. It can show Zimbabwean kids that to be a champion you need to work, to live like a king you have to work like a slave,” said Zvenyika.

Zvenyika added that with such talent emerging from boxing it’s high time the mindset and attitude towards all sport codes changes for the benefit of upcoming sportspersons.

“To the fans of boxing in Zimbabwe, mothers and daughters let’s support our children and our sport. Let’s not stick to one sport. We all cannot be soccer players or runners, some are boxers like Manyuchi, the likes of Mugove (Muhambi), (Samson) Muripo are karate champions. So let’s support all sports,” Zvenyika said.