Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda, Zimpapers Sports Hub
ALL the foreign boxers have arrived in Zimbabwe ahead of the third edition of the Trabablas Boxing Tournament, set to take place at the Kwekwe Sports Arena on Friday night.
Among the foreign fighters who have touched down are Zambians Simon Ngoma, Mbachi Kaonga, Isaac Mangesa, and Alice Mbewe, adding an international flavour to what promises to be one of
Kwekwe’s biggest boxing shows in recent years.
An official from the World Boxing Federation (WBF) has also arrived in the country ahead of Thursday’s official weigh-in. The tournament will feature a strong cast of local-based fighters, with
WBF Super Flyweight champion Tinashe “Mr Jones” Majoni among the headline attractions.
Majoni will face Sean Josephy in a Super Flyweight non-title bout as he continues preparations for a possible WBF title defence expected in December.
The Kwekwe contest is therefore an important part of Majoni’s preparations, giving the champion an opportunity to sharpen his skills and maintain his competitive edge ahead of his anticipated title assignment.
The Trabablas 3 tournament is being promoted by former World Boxing Council Silver Welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi through the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy.
The event is also being viewed as something of a homecoming show, with Kwekwe being the hometown of President Mnangagwa, in whose honour the Trabablas tournament is held.
“All the boxers are now in Kwekwe and we are expecting fireworks on Friday night,” Manyuchi told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
“We have boxers from Kenya, Malawi and Zambia taking part plus some exciting Zimbabwean boxers,” he added.
The Trabablas tournament has quickly established itself as part of Zimbabwe’s growing boxing calendar.
The inaugural edition was held in Chivhu in November last year, before Mutare hosted the second instalment in May.
For Manyuchi, however, the tournament is about more than simply putting on big boxing nights.
“As the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy we are there to promote the growth of boxing in Zimbabwe and beyond,” he said.
“We believe boxing can be a source of living for talented youngsters.
“But above all, discipline is key and this is one of the things we emphasize at our academy.”
The Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy has developed several notable fighters, including former WBF Welterweight champion Evans Husaiwhevhu.
With international fighters already in Kwekwe, the weigh-in scheduled for Thursday and a strong line-up of Zimbabwean talent preparing for battle, attention now turns to Friday night when the gloves will finally be raised at the Kwekwe Sports Arena.
It will be an opportunity to make a statement for local boxers like Freeman Mabvongwe, who has for long been an exciting talent.
For the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy, this is another step towards the broader goal of using boxing to create opportunities for young Zimbabwean talent.
