Manyuchi’s preps gather momentum

Tedious Manyepo : Sports Reporter

CHARLES MANYUCHI’s Zambian promoter Chis Malunga is expected in the country over the weekend to do the groundwork ahead of the World Boxing Council Silver welterweight champion’s voluntary title defence bout set for September 30 at the Harare International Conference Centre. The country’s boxing Golden Boy will face off against a French challenger Damien Martin who has been preparing hard for the contest in his country.The event, which is one of the top sporting attractions in this country, will see the boxer battling it out on home soil for the first time since he won the title on May 7 after outfoxing Russia’s Dmitry Mikhaylenko in the European country.

And Malunga is expected to tie some loose ends with some local companies who have pledged to sponsor the boxer.

Zimbabwe Boxing and Wrestling Control Board acting chairperson Patrick Mukondiwa confirmed Malunga will jet into the country this weekend.

“Yes Charles Manyuchi’s Zambian promoter is coming to Zimbabwe this weekend. He intends to do all the necessary groundwork ahead of the World Boxing Council welterweight silver title bout.

“As the Zimbabwe Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, we have sanctioned the visit and he will meet some local companies’ representatives as he seeks to court sponsorship for the fight,” said Mukondiwa.

Malunga is expected to address a press conference on the progress next week.

The Zimbabwe government has already pledged to support the boxer while ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa has also promised ‘something special’ for Manyuchi.

Apart from football, Chiyangwa is also an avid boxing enthusiast who used to be a boxing promoter.

Some individuals are also reported to be lining up pledges for financial support for the talented pugilist.

Manyuchi will remain in Zambia where he has intensified preparations as the event draws near.

On August 27, he showed his intentions of returning the crown by beating Tanzania’s Deogratias Samuel in a non-title bout which he won by a unanimous points decision.

Manyuchi’s status has been on the ascendency since 2014 when he outgunned his fancied Ghanaian opponent Patrick Allotey in Zambia to become the WBC International welterweight champion.

He successfully defended the crown against Deivis Casseres in Zambia again before smashing Italy’s Gianluca Frezza in the latter’s backyard last year.

Martin’s record stands at 25-8-10 and the boxer who turned 30 on August 30 last year defeated 39-year old Italian Tobai Giusseppe Loriga as well as Serbia’s 32 year old Bogdan Mitic.

The Frenchman has, however, never had any fight outside of his country since 2010.

Manyuchi, who is physically and technically sharp, has been exuding confidence that he will win the bout before his home fans on September 30.