Online Reporter
Gilbert Munetsi
IT’S now official — Charles Manyuchi is back in the ring full time.
He confirmed his return to the boxing ring, ending a brief retirement announced last year.
The seasoned pugilist is set to face Malawian Limbani Lano in a heavyweight bout scheduled for March 29 at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare.
The rematch follows their initial encounter at Phil-Jen Country Lodges in Chivhu in 2023, where Manyuchi secured victory via a fifth-round TKO in a scheduled 10-round bout.
The upcoming event, titled ‘Rise of the Champions 5’, will also feature World Boxing Federation (WBF) Inter-Continental Super-Bantamweight champion Hassan Milanzi.
He will be defending his title against Tanzanian challenger Abdul Kubira.
Zimbabwe’s Tinashe “Jones” Majoni will square off against Malawi’s Obbrey Masamba for the WBF Super-Flyweight title in the co-main event.
Despite a star-studded lineup, the spotlight remains on Manyuchi, who views this fight as a stepping stone to reclaiming prominence on the international stage.
A victory, he believes, could secure him a high-profile bout at the Auleiman Al Darrat Complex in Benghazi, Libya, where he recently suffered a defeat at the hands of Libyan boxer Fathi Saad.
Last year, Manyuchi’s farewell tour included tournaments in Chivhu, Harare, and Zambia, with strong indications that the 35-year-old would hang up his gloves to focus on farming and mining.
However, a combination of factors — persuasion from a boxing promoter and financial considerations for his academy — convinced him to make a comeback.
Manyuchi, who still holds the WBF World title, has ambitions to re-enter the WBC rankings in a different weight division.
His return follows a long tradition of legendary boxers who have come out of retirement to fight again.
Zimbabwe’s Langton “Schoolboy” Tinago, a three-time Commonwealth champion, did the same, as did international icons like Larry Holmes, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Erik Morales, and Eder Jofre.
Beyond the ring, Manyuchi has continued his philanthropic efforts.
In the lead-up to the March 29 fight, he has been actively supporting various charitable causes as part of his academy’s social responsibility programme, an initiative he began during his tenure with Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions in Zambia.
Last Friday, he donated a football kit to St. Anthony High School in Masvingo, an act warmly welcomed by school head Jorum Mawana, who noted its significant impact on sports development at the institution.
The donation ceremony was attended by the school’s priest-in-charge, Rev. Fr. Mahefu, and School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson Stanley Chikuvadze.
Manyuchi recently paid exam fees for Vellah Misodzi, a Murehwa student who lost her hand and leg due to electrocution from live ZESA cables.
Despite financial hardships, Misodzi’s determination to pursue education was supported by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), allowing her to pass five subjects.
However, she required additional funding to rewrite failed subjects, including English.
When he saw her plea on social media, Manyuchi stepped in to provide assistance.
