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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter
BOXER Charles Manyuchi could be forced to defend his WBF world title away from home if authorities do not give him the clearance to stage the fight on home turf.
The Chivhu-based fighter is scheduled to take on Uganda’s Mahommed Sebyala in Masvingo on July 4.
The promoters of the fight, The Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy, have already poured thousands of dollars into preparing for the bout.
Several companies, including the boxer’s traditional sponsors Mr T-35, have also committed significant financial resources, towards the event.
Although some sport codes were given a green light to resume their activities yesterday, boxing was not one of them.
It’s a situation which has pushed Manyuchi into desperation.
The WBF have notified his camp that, if he fails to defend the crown by July 4, he risks being stripped of the belt.
And, yesterday, his coach Ali “Otto” Phiri, revealed they could be forced to go for the option of hosting the event outside the country.
“As the Charles Manyuchi Academy, we are desperate to be cleared,” he said.
“We have applied, through the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board to be given a special waiver so that we are able to defend the title on home soil.
“Charles Manyuchi remains the only boxer in this country to have ever won a world title and it is that badge that we want to defend.
“We have poured in a lot of resources towards hosting this fight and there are also corporate players, who have come to join us, in preparing for a successful event.
“As we speak, the plans are in disarray. But, we hope and pray that the authorities will bear with us. We will follow the medical protocol required, to the book, so that we remain safe, if given the clearance.”
He said, if they don’t get any clearance, they could be forced to stage the fight in Tanzania.
“We also understand that it could be difficult, given this is a deadly pandemic,” said Phiri.
“However, if we are not cleared that could mean that we will have to stage the fight in Tanzania.
“As the hosts of the fight, that would mean a financial disaster, on our part.
“We have already poured in thousands of dollars, in preparing for this fight in Masvingo, and we would need to put even more, if we are to host the event outside the country.”
As the holder of the title, Manyuchi is required to host his challenger Sebyala.
And, although he can ask the challenger to stage the fight in his home country, the expenses should be paid by the Zimbabwean.
Besides playing host to the WBF middleweight title fight, the country also has a chance to write its own piece of history.
The fight will unify two other belts, which have just been introduced – the World Alliance Boxing Association and World Professional Boxing Federation.
There are also other title fights, on the bill, if the tournament gets a clearance from the authorities.
Bout Card
Chiwandire v Cecilia Pitiseni, Lolita Muzeya (Zambia) v Violet Phiri (Zambia), Tatenda Biningu v Ronald Tamani, Freeman Mabvongwe v Tinashe Zihove, Lemmy Simbeye (Zambia) v Philip Musariri, Evans Usavihwevhu v Baison Gwayani (Malawi), Hassan Milanzi v Yemikani Mkandawire(Malawi), Tinashe Majoni v Yusuf Ali (Malawi), Charles Manyuchi v Mohammed Sebyala (Uganda)
Online Reporter