Manyuchi takes up new challenge

ZIMBABWE’S World Boxing Council International welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi took time off his busy schedule to lobby for the release of scores of Zimbabwean female inmates held in Lusaka Central Prison for minor offences.

The WBC International welterweight champ is training hard ahead of a title defence against Gianluca Frezza on July 18 in Italy.

Fighting outside Africa could present the Zimbabwean with an onerous task, but Manyuchi has remained confident such that he took time away from training to visit Lusaka Central Prison where, according to reports, about 20 Zimbabwean women are held.

“I visited the prison for 10 hours last Monday and I was so touched to see the female prisoners that I decided to do something as a sporting ambassador. With the assistance of my handlers, Oriental Quarries Boxing promotions, I felt I should even go into the ring and fight to fund-raise for the prisoners,” said Manyuchi from his base in Lusaka.

The Zambia-based boxer was also quoted in various Zambian publications, along with WBC bantamweight champion Catherine Phiri, offering to raise funds for Lusaka Central Prison’s female inmates.

“I have seen a lot of my sisters and mothers from Zimbabwe who are here. There are also my sisters and mothers from Zambia that are here. Even today I can fight to raise the money,” Manyuchi was quoted as saying by the Zambia Daily.

The Manyuchi-Frezza fight in Friuli-Venezia Giulla will be the Zimbabwean’s first bout outside the continent.

He remains a hot favourite to retain his title, if world rankings are anything to go by. The 35-year-old Frezza is ranked 107 in the world, compared to the 26-year-old Manyuchi’s 45th position out of 1 738 rated welterweight pugilists.

Manyuchi dropped one place in the June WBC rankings where he is now ranked 19th.

His training schedule has gone a gear up under trainer Mike Zulu as he focuses on the Italian job where victory could see the Masvingo-born boxer positioning himself for money-spinning fights.

“I am working very hard here, my sparring sessions have been helpful and I can say everything is in order.

“I have been receiving support from back home and I want to remain focused, keep my feet on the ground and work towards this historic fight,” said Manyuchi.