adminCurtworth Masango and Maria Chiguvari
STAR female boxer, Monalisa Sibanda, has appealed for support from the corporate world to help her prepare to challenge for the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) world title in April.
Sibanda is the WIBA International Welterweight champion and she is set to fight world title holder Alicia Kummer of Germany.
Contracts for the bout are yet to be finalised, leaving space for the fight to be held in Zimbabwe.
“I thank God for this opportunity to challenge for the WIBA world title. We are looking forward to a successful challenge, but we are appealing for sponsorship. We need assistance for our preparations. We need to look at my diet, fitness, and transport fares. There is also a chance of us hosting this fight, so we are appealing to all stakeholders to help us financially to host it in Zimbabwe,” said Sibanda.
“We have a preparatory fight scheduled for South Africa next month ahead of the WIBA world title challenge.
“I’m turning 40, and I have never quit since I started boxing. The journey was not easy, but with the support of different stakeholders, I have managed to be where I am.
“People like (her new manager) Samsom Muripo have always supported me. I feel that before retiring, I have to do this one more time and fulfil my dreams of winning the world title.
“I’m the first female boxer to bring an international belt to Zimbabwe. So many girls are replicating the fit in karate and boxing.
“I have promised Zimbabwe that I will bring more world titles and I am happy that the journey has been fruitful. I am also happy that other girls are doing it in karate.”
Her manager, Shihan Muripo, a two-time World Kyokushin karate champion, appealed to the corporate world to chip in and assist them in making history.
“We have seen her dedication and the unquenchable thirst I have. We only lack resources, but we are excellent fighters and we are looking forward to the Government and corporate world coming in to assist us,” he said.
“I want to thank Monalisa for the opportunity she granted me to train her. When she was in Zambia, she would come during her off-season and we would also work here and always produced great results.
“This time around, it’s a step up with her roping me in as her manager. I am grateful that the boxing board appreciates me and gave me the go-ahead to work with her,” he said.
Online Reporter