Lack of promoters hits Bulawayo boxing

Lovemore Dube

BULAWAYO boxers continue to lag behind because of a lack of promoters.The city was once the hub of professional boxing. It created a number of champions, some legendary figures who went on to conquer the country. But today, 12 years after the last professional boxing contest, the sport finds itself crying loud to be saved.

Mandla Phuthi a former amateur championship boxer who had a brief stint as a professional boxer lamented the hard times on the sport.“We train boys day in and day out hoping some day they may get fights. But when it gets down to the count of many years, one thing for sure happens, the boy quits the sport in frustration.

The talent is there at our clubs, but boys want to be champions in the ring and not gym,” said Phuthi recently.The last tournament was organized by the De Cunha brothers in 2012 and the highlight of the evening was Charles Manyuchi beating Mordecai Donga for the middleweight title.

On the same bill was Thamsanqa “The Tank” Dube who cruised to a unanimous points victory over Arigoma Chiponda.Since then Bulawayo has not played host to a boxing tournament for professionals.
Harare promoters for a sport without sponsorship and television rights have ended up using boxers from the city to cut down on expenses.

Phuthi called on individuals who love the sport and have the means to rescue the sport from collapse.
“Every athlete ventures into a sport hoping someday he will be rewarded. I am calling on locals to take up the challenge,” said Phuthi.

Zimbabwe’s international professional boxing referee Patrick Mukondiwa said the absence of local professional boxing promoters was having a big effect on the sport.“The absence of promoters has had a bid negative impact.

Bulawayo has more boxing fans than Harare and the region is being starved of boxing entertainment, imagine all the talent there going to waste, we definitely need promoters in Bulawayo,” said Mukondiwa who was secretary-general when promoters Jeff Dube, Brian Moyo and the late Dumisani Mabhena kept the sport going.Mukondiwa believes the sport still has potential in Bulawayo to create more champions.