Manyuchi resumes preps

Sports Reporter—

WITH his title defence fight now scheduled for next year, World Boxing Council welterweight silver champion Charles Manyuchi is not wasting time as he has already started preparing for the fight.The Zimbabwean boxer missed out on defending the title on home soil after Damien Martin from France withdrew from the fight.

Manyuchi then took on Jose Agustino Julio Feria in a non-title fight at the Harare International Conference Centre on October 14.

And he is now set to defend his title on February 17 in Singapore, with reports suggesting he will take on Qudratilo Abduqaxorov of Uzbekistan.

“I started preparations last week, preparing for Singapore. I am still waiting for the manager to confirm when the WBC sanctions the fight. But the contract, we have signed, so I am in camp now in Harare.

“The coaches are still working on getting me in form, in terms of endurance and physical fitness. I am pushing because I had some rust.

“I have been relaxing and taking a break a bit but I think I am getting back to my form now.

“I think I will be moving to Zambia when the WBC approves the fight,” said Manyuchi.

He is currently working with his father Otis and boxing trainer Issa Phiri and hopes to defend his title come February.

If he comes out victorious in the fight, he will then take on Russia’s Dmitry Mikhaylenko, whom he beat in May to claim the silver title.

The 27-year-old, who has always maintained a positive attitude when it comes to his fights, said he is prepared to take anyone and always works hard to achieve success.

“Every fight is a new fight. When I prepare I put hundred percent effort whether it’s a title or it’s a non-title fight because if you lose, even if it’s a non-title fight, it taints your record and name,” said Manyuchi.

His manager at Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions, Chris Malunga, has also shown his strong belief and confidence in Manyuchi as he is already planning to push for the Zimbabwean boxer to go for the WBC welterweight gold title.