malvernmugadzikwa
Sports Reporter
HE was born in Bulawayo and raised in Mutoko before adopting Masvingo as a home, but somehow, Charles Manyuchi ended up falling in love with Chivhu in Mashonaland East.
The former World Boxing Council Silver welterweight champion has several houses in town and runs businesses ranging from dog breeding to livestock production.
Chivhu is where he will stage the first of a trilogy of farewell fights, as the curtain finally comes down on a remarkable professional boxing career spanning almost 15 years.
Manyuchi takes on Sherrif “Boom Boom” Kasongo of the Democratic Republic of Congo on Friday night in a non-title fight dubbed “Grand Finale”.
The 33-year-old, in March, announced plans to retire.
The other two fights are set to be staged in Harare and Masvingo.
Masvingo is where Manyuchi’s boxing potential was identified by his erstwhile manager Edison Zvobgo Jnr, before he made his professional debut in Harare on February 14, 2009.
“I have reserved the best for the last, so my fans should come to Chivhu to witness a real grand finale,” Manyuchi told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“I am preparing well for this fight, which I am taking as if it’s my first one because I know it’s very important.
“As you are aware, I have already announced my plans to retire from the game, so I would want to retire in style with a good victory. A loss will dent my record, so I can’t afford to lose this one.”
Manyuchi has already relinquished the World Boxing Federation (WBF) world middleweight title, which he last defended against Muhamad Sebyala in Uganda in Masvingo on July 3, 2021.
WBF president Howard Goldberg has confirmed that the title has been vacated.
However, that has not taken away the anticipation amongst Manyuchi’s legion of fans, who are expected to throng the ringside for the bout in Chivhu.
There is also another interesting bout on the undercard.
Tinashe “Chairman” Madziwane returns to the ring after 19 months on the sidelines to face Yobe “Mwana Watate” Kamnyonya of Malawi for the WBF Super Featherweight Intercontinental championship title.
The 33-year-old Madziwane, who has a 17-14-0 record, last fought in December 2021, when he failed to last the distance in a World Boxing Association Pan-African Super Bantamweight title match against Namibian Mateus Heita in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
Madziwane complained of chest pains before failing to come out for round six.
The Mbare-bred pugilist also blamed poor preparations for that defeat but he says this time he is raring to go.
“I have been preparing very well because I was waiting anxiously for this opportunity,” he said.
“This is a big belt and it has to stay here in Zimbabwe, and I am not going to blow this chance.
“The ‘Chairman’ has been hibernating, but I am back with a bang.”
Kamnyonya, 32, has a 9-8-0 record and has lost his last two fights.
His recent fight was a Universal Boxing Organisation International Super Light (vacant) contest against Issa Salum James in Tanzania on February 11, 2023.
Online Reporter