malvernmugadzikwa
Langton Nyakwenda
IT has been quiet of late at Mau Mau boxing stable led by veteran promoter Stalin Mau Mau.
The stable is famed for producing renowned champions like Arifonso “Mosquito” Zvenyika, who made history when he clinched the Commonwealth Flyweight title in 1998.
Yesteryear boxing stars such as Modecai “Big Fish” Donga, Ambrose Mlilo, Farai Master Kachigwada and the Musiiwa brothers Godfrey and Farai worked under Mau Mau.
The boxing granddad turned 70 in February and he admits he is no longer as active as he used to be, but his contribution to boxing development in Zimbabwe has never been doubted.
Although it has been a quiet year at his stable, the veteran promoter is still as lively as ever, and feels he still has one more task to accomplish.
“I want to pass on my boxing expertise to the upcoming generation and I want to do this now when I still can and before I quit, or die,” he told Zimpapers Sports Hub in an interview.
Mau Mau still has a couple of boxers in his stable, including Jeremiah “Jingo” Mhere and Tinofadzwa Chikerema, who is fighting for the national light welterweight belt against Nyasha Hwata at an upcoming tournament in Harare on November 9.
Heavyweight boxer Kudzaishe “Black Bomber” Chigoma also has a fight on the same bill, against Emmanuel Chikasha of Gweru. Dubbed “Judgement Day”, the boxing tournament has been put up by Otto Boxing Stable in conjunction with Box Fit.
“Sometimes it is better to have just two boxers in your stable and you manage them well rather than have 50 undisciplined boxers. We have two boxers at the upcoming locals-only tournament, but it’s not about the number of boxers, but what we are doing with those boxers,” says Mau Mau.
“It’s good to have more local fights, but it’s expensive to put up a tournament. Remember, in Zimbabwe boxing is charity because there are no returns.”
A local boxing tournament costs an average US$5 000 to put up.
“But we should grow from within, local championship fights are an essential foundation. It has been a very long time since we last had a national championship, so we are excited because we will get to witness a light welterweight fight between our boxer Chikerema and Hwata,” he said.
“It’s not about which boxers come from which stable, it’s about grooming talent.”
Local boxers like Evans Husayihwevhu, Freeman Mabvongwe, Bongani Makorova and Hillary Josamu are also on the “Judgement Day” bout card.
“What Otto Boxing Stable have done in recent years should be commended. Yes, it’s been quiet at Mau Mau stable, but the struggle continues,” he said.
“It’s my expectation that one of these days we will have more co-promotions. We had very few similar tournaments in the past few years and we have to continue pushing for more.
“That’s the way to go. It has always been the way to go.”
The upcoming locals-only tournament is a timely boost for some local pugilists who are usually sidelined when promoters put up international boxing nights.
“We cannot talk of international fights when we do not have local fights,” added Mau Mau.
“We should give priority to our own boxers fighting against each other. Back then we used to have national belts from straw weight to heavyweight and our boxers were properly rated.
“But now, that is no longer the case. When boxers go out there, they must be identified as national champions. It’s like in football you are asked how many national caps you have, it carries more weight if you are a national champion.”
Mau Mau plans to return to full throttle early next year with his famous Peanuts to Diamonds tournaments.
“With the full support and cooperation from the boxing board, we are looking forward to having tournaments in the new year,” he said.
The promoter, who has been in the game for almost 35 years, now wants to see Zimbabwean boxers fighting for belts from “recognised” sanctioning bodies like the World Boxing Council and the World Boxing Association.
“As Zimbabwe, we need to wake up, otherwise we will end up nowhere,” he said.
“We need to have our boxers fighting for real world titles and not those mickey mouse titles. The time has come.”
Zimbabwe has never had a world champion from the top four sanctioning bodies — WBC, WBA, World Boxing Organisation and International Boxing Federation.
The closest was when Charles Manyuchi held the WBC Silver welterweight title in 2017.
Zimbabwe boasts of continental and regional champions. Aliyah Phiri (24) holds the African Boxing Union Lightweight title, while Hassan Milanzi and Monica Mkandla are regional champions.
Online Reporter