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Zimbabwean prize fighter Charles Manyuchi ( pictured) wants to shed 9kg in the next two weeks as the World Boxing Council silver welterweight champion begins preparations for his maiden home bout as a professional.
Manyuchi is expected in Zambia tomorrow to commence camp ahead of his WBC title defence against Damien Martin of France at the Harare International Conference Centre on September 30.
The 26-year-old Zimbabwean pugilist will warm up for the historic Harare fight by trading leather with Deogratias Samwell of Tanzania at Government Complex in Lusaka on August 27.
The fight will be the undercard for the WBC gold championship bantamweight clash between Zambia’s defending champion Cathrene Phiri and Gibisela Tsabalala of South Africa.
“It’s back to serious business now and I hope to be in the right shape in a fortnight’s time,” declared Manyuchi, who weighed about 75kg – nine above the welterweight limit of 66,7kg – last Wednesday.
Manyuchi had been scheduled to warm up against Ibrahimu Class but the Tanzanian pulled out.
However, the Zimbabwean boxing star remains hopeful that Samwell will give him the necessary test ahead of his WBC title defence in Harare.
“I am told Class pulled out but it could be a blessing in disguise because I have fought him a couple of times before and would want a different challenge,” said Manyuchi.
Samwell is a relatively unknown boxer on the world scene who has a 9-6-5 record in 20 fights.
Manyuchi, who claimed the prestigious WBC silver welterweight title after defeating Russia’s Dmitry Mikhaylenko on May 6, has a record of 18-2-1.
He is the fourth-best welterweight boxer on the World Boxing Council ratings and is ranked number 21 out of the 2 183 boxers on the world rankings across all major governing bodies.
Only Amir Khan, his predecessor on the WBC silver welterweight throne, Andre Berto who lost on points to the legendary Floyd Mayweather Jr in September last year and Shawn Potter are better placed than Manyuchi in the World Boxing Council kingdom.
Online Reporter