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Tadious Manyepo–Sports Reporter
HER challenger looks more imposing.
Kuda Chiwandire looks much fitter.
Zulina Munoz has the experience. Lots of it.
The Mexican has floored 40 of her opponents in over 60 bouts she has had.
Chiwandire, the holder of the World Boxing Council super-bantamweight interim title, which is on the line last Friday, is a minnow, literally.
Just eight fights under her belt, three of which she has failed to win.
Confident spectators, both at the Harare International Conference Centre and those following on television, have genuine concerns at the back of their minds.
What if experience overcomes determination?
It’s very possible.
After all Munoz has made it clear not once or twice, that she is in Zimbabwe for serious business.
A huge opportunity to become a mandatory challenger for the WBC main belt is at stake.
Chiwandire is both motivated and pressured.
Reverting six undercard bouts are over.
And the bell goes.
Chiwandire loves to box.
So does Munoz.
Thriller!
Chiwandire has to best her opponent in the opening round to gather key courage.
The first punch will be crucial. She knows it.
She probes first.
A right jab. It lands on Munoz’s left cheek.
A roar from a raucous crowd and the ring is lit.
She has to get going.
But Munoz is ever threatening and courageous as well. The Mexican throws her left, Chiwandire dodges but is caught by the right.
Just what the doctor has ordered for a showdown of this stature.
The first time ever Zimbabwe is hosting a WBC-sanctioned event.
The biggest fight ever to be staged in this country. The WBC vice-president, Houichi Houcine, is the supervisor just to underline the weight the night is carrying.
A good combination by Chiwandire even forces Munoz to drop her guard.
The veteran fighter has a cut above her left eye. She is bleeding.
The Zimbabwean claims the first round. By a considerable distance probably.
But it’s never a walk in the park. Although the host is carrying nearly a kilogramme less mass as compared to Munoz, she compensates that with hard work.
She has to subdue Munoz as early as she can.
Even knocking her out if that’s attainable.
A fight against someone with such a solid reputation of winning as many as 40 fights by KOs shouldn’t be allowed to go the distance.
That’s what Chiwandire has in her mind.
She drives as hard as she can to try and overpower Munoz.
For two consecutive rounds, in the fourth and fifth, Chiwandire is able to punch her to the canvas.
But, Munoz is not ready to be beaten by the count.
By the seventh round, Chiwandire seems to be cruising.
The Munoz camp is in agreement.
Their boxer has to hunt for a KO.
Kuda should turn defensive.
But she is not a coward.
She chases for more points. She has refused to take some water on a number of breaks.
She knows what’s at stake. Water will, in a way, disrupt her.
As she attacks Munoz, it’s becoming risky. She could be caught on the counter, especially with that left uppercut which has always missed the target since the first round.
This time it comes with more conviction. It strikes.
The sheer force knocks Chiwandire to the floor. It’s awkward.
The HICC auditorium is driven into silence, for a moment.
Maybe they have begun their celebrations prematurely as they anticipate a points victory.
Kuda is back on her feet.
The jubilations in the stands continue.
The last three minutes of the 10-round bout are as key as were the first three minutes.
Chiwandire should be conservative.
That’s everyone’s prayer.
The good thing though is that she still has the verve. Her punches are still carrying the sting.
The best form to defend is to attack.
She does just that.
Munoz never gets a chance to throw the proverbial sucker-punch.
Into the last 10 seconds.
And judges’ scoreboards read 96-92, 98,89 and 100-86. All in favour of the crowd favourite.
Chiwandire is still the WBC super-bantamweight interim champion!
The stage had been warmed by other scintillating duels. Another rising female prospect, Revai Madondo, had claimed a technical knockout victory over Malawi’s Chimwemwe Banda, Evans Usavihwevhu outboxed Adonia Abraham by the same means while Tatenda Biningu also beat Benard Mwango of Zambia via a Unanimous Points Decision.
However, in the only blemish by Zimbabweans against visitors, Lazarus Sithole couldn’t last even the first round when falling by a TKO to Zambia’s Mbachi Kaonga.
Online Reporter