dyton mupawaenda
Tadious Manyepo in LUSAKA, Zambia
CHARLES Manyuchi is a loved lot in Zambia.
It is his home away from home.
This is where the gem in him was polished on his way to becoming the Africa Boxing Union and World Boxing Council silver welterweight champion.
He spent over four years under the stewardship of globally-acclaimed promoter Chris Malunga of Oriental Boxing Quarries.
And at one point Zambians even thought he was their compatriot and used to fill the iconic Lusaka Government Complex for his fights.
Eventually the 34-year-old retreated back home but he has maintained strong ties with Oriental Quarries.
He has announced plans to retire from the game that gave him high social standing and riches.
He is currently on a marathon of a series of farewell fights giving his fans a chance to watch him in action for the very last moments.
And early yesterday morning, he bid his strong Zambian support base a memorable show by defeating Donald Kampamba of Zambia via a Unanimous Decision before an appreciative Lusaka Government Complex.
The predominantly Zambian spectators showed a lot of love to their old hero when his name was announced before the Zimbabwean turned on a dominant show in that absorbing eight-round bout.
A band of Zimbabwean supporters led by Zimbabwe ambassador to Zambia Charity Charamba cheered him on and he didn’t disappoint.
It was by sheer luck that Kampamba, who kissed the canvas twice and appeared to have wetted his pants lasted the distance.
Manyuchi was all over him and fought with much authority reminding the fans that after all the years, he is still a very good boxer.
He even had time to cheerfully clown around with his yesteryear theatrics but never put off his eyes on the ball scoring identical 80-71 points from all the three judges.
There was even calls from his fans and former colleagues at Oriental Quarries for him to come back from retirement and have another shot at the WBC titles.
“I am humbled by the love that I have been shown by my Zambian fans. I made my name here and they supported me a lot. I am grateful to them. They are a huge part of my success story,” said Manyuchi.
“It was humbling to see them cheering at me when I was fighting one of their own.
“I would like to thank Chris Malunga for giving me an opportunity to say goodbye to Zambia.
“I will forever be grateful to Zambia. This is my second home and I will always be emotionally attached to them”.
Manyuchi’s students Brandon “Boika” Denes, Tatenda “Signature” Biningu and Clever Sithole made the night even more memorable after all of them posted wins against their opponents.
Biningu outsmarted Zambia’s Mumbela Mukuni who surrendered in the fourth of their eight rounds bout while Sithole knocked Aleck Mwenda of Tanzania in the initial stages of their eighth and final round of a captivating match-up.
On the other hand Denes danced his way past Sherrif Kasongo of the DR Congo when knocking him half-way into their eight round showdown.
Another prospect Mujibilikwa who was supposed to face off against Zambia’s Alfred Kaziwo arrived late in Zambia and could not fight.
It was a night to cherish for Denes especiallywho has recently returned to the Charles Manyuchi Academy.
He had gone solo and lost five straight fights before retracing his footsteps back to Chivhu.
He has since posted three victories including the one on Saturday night.
And he was elates by the victory.
“I am very happy for winning this belt. I feel like I am back to my best. I will continue putting in the work,” said Denes.
Online Reporter