Langton Nyakwenda and Lovemore Dube, Zimpapers Sports Hub
BULAWAYO boxing trainer Anderson Sibanda says the hosting of the Trabablas tournament in Gwanda on November 27 will have a huge impact in the promotion of professional boxing in the region.
Rarely do boxing tournaments for professionals get spread to small centres. Most tournaments have been held at places such as Bulawayo, Gweru, Masvingo, Chivhu, Mutare and Harare.
With three events already held under the Trabablas series in Chivhu, Kwekwe and Mutare, promoter Charles Manyuchi has opted for Gwanda. He has promised to take the sport to all the 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.
“This is a good opportunity for the region to come to the party and promote a sport that has shown so much potential. What is good is that Gwanda has been coming up with a number of boxers having emerged from the twon in recent years.
“Charles’ initiative will take professional boxing far. He has to be commended. I am talking to him to have some of our Lobengula Boxing Academy stars fight on November 27,” said Sibanda.
Bulawayo played host to a boxing tournament during the Kuzana Sport and Creatives Economy Expo last month.
“These are positive developments for the region,” said Sibanda.
The Gwanda, sponsored by Sakunda Holdings, is expected to bring together some of Zimbabwe’s finest boxing talent, while giving promising local fighters an opportunity to shine on a major national platform.
For a town better known for its gold-mining activities, cattle ranching and football passion, the tournament presents an opportunity to strengthen its growing sporting identity.
Gwanda Pirates, one of the town’s most popular football clubs, have long provided a rallying point for local sports enthusiasts.
Now, boxing is preparing to take centre stage, with Pelandaba set to exchange football chants for the thunder of gloves and the roar of fight-night spectators.
Leading the local charge will be emerging fighters Lloyd Mujibilikwa, Thabani Gumbi and Wezi Jonathan Chirwa, who will be eager to seize their moment in front of their home crowd.
Their inclusion on the card underlines the tournament’s broader vision of taking professional boxing beyond the traditional centres of the sport and identifying talent in communities that have often remained outside the national spotlight.
Former World Boxing Council Silver welterweight champion Manyuchi, who is spearheading the initiative, believes Gwanda has the potential to produce future champions.
“We are excited to be organising what will be the biggest boxing tournament ever staged in Gwanda,” Manyuchi told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
The former world title contender has made grassroots boxing development a major part of his mission, using tournaments to provide emerging fighters with competitive exposure and a pathway towards bigger opportunities.
Since its launch in Chivhu last November, Trabablas has steadily expanded its footprint, with subsequent editions staged in Mutare in May and Kwekwe in September.
The fourth instalment in Gwanda is another significant milestone in a project whose ultimate ambition is to take boxing to all 10 provinces of Zimbabwe.
And the November 27 spectacle will not be short of star power.
One of the major attractions will be female boxing sensation Revai Madondo, who returns to the
Trabablas stage following her impressive showing in Kwekwe, where she became the latest fighter to claim the coveted Trabablas belt.
Now fighting under the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy, Madondo will face Malawi’s Sakina Ibrahim in what promises to be an intriguing international contest.
Madondo’s participation adds further significance to the tournament, particularly after she was among the boxers who received US$5 000 each from businessman and Senator Kudakwashe Tagwirei following the Kwekwe event.
Other prominent fighters expected to light up the Gwanda ring include World Boxing Federation Super flyweight champion Tinashe “Mr Jones” Majoni, Evans Husaiwhevhu, Marlon Chivero and hard-hitting Mbachi Kaonga, who made a strong impression during Trabablas 3 in Kwekwe.
For Manyuchi, however, the tournament is about much more than championship belts and individual victories.
It is about taking boxing to the people, discovering hidden talent and ensuring that geographical location does not determine how far an aspiring fighter can go.
“We are very grateful to our sponsors Sakunda Holdings. They are making things happen,” he said.
“The good thing about the tournament in Gwanda is we will have local boxers on the card.
“There are some very promising boxers from this area and we believe they will use the platform to showcase their talent to the world.
“As the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy, we want to spread the sport to all corners of the country.”
Manyuchi added that no community should be excluded from the country’s boxing development drive.
“No area should be left behind.
“We believe boxing talent is everywhere, including towns like Gwanda.
“I am sure this tournament will inspire a lot of budding boxers from Gwanda.”
As preparations gather momentum, the spotlight is firmly on Pelandaba, where established champions, emerging prospects and local fighters will share the same ring.
For Gwanda’s aspiring boxers, November 27 could be the beginning of their journey towards national and international recognition.
