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Tadious Manyepo
WORLD Boxing Federation (WBF) middleweight champion Charles Manyuchi, has received a huge boost ahead of his scheduled title defence in June after his long-time financial backers, Mr T35 renewed their sponsorship deal with the boxer.
The former World Boxing Council silver welterweight king is expected to defend his WBF belt against Uganda’s Mahomed Sebyla at the Harare International Conference Centre in June.
Manyuchi claimed the honours in September 2019 via a Technical Knock-Out victory over Argentine Pablo Ezequiel Acosta and he was supposed to defend it in April last year.
However, the WBF froze all bouts under its umbrella due to the Covid-19 pandemic allowing all its champions including Manyuchi to hold on to their titles.
Sebyala has challenged for the belt and the biting economic challenges exacerbated by the Covid-19 epidemic, Manyuchi was a bit worried.
But, he can now prepare for the high-profile bout with an open mind after Mr T35 stretched their sponsorship deal with the Chivhu-based pugilist.
Speaking after the signing ceremony, Manyuchi saluted the truck assembling concern.
“We have come a long way with Mr T35 and this gesture is quite humbling,” Manyuchi said.
“I have been preparing for the fight since last year in April although the long lull due to the coronavirus somehow distracted me.
“I have obviously been looking for sponsors and my all-weather sponsors have reassured that they are with me.
“I am very grateful to Mr T35 for this sponsorship deal. I can now concentrate on preparing for the fight. Besides Mr T35, we have had some other sponsors who have come on board including Phil Jen Lodges in Chivhu and we are very grateful to them.”
The partnership between Manyuchi and Mr T35 dates back about a decade ago when the latter was bankrolling the former’s shuttling between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
Manyuchi was still fighting under a Zambian stable, Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions under the tutelage of Christopher Malunga when Mr T35 joined the band.
The corporate has been on the boxer’s side ever since and the latest deal confirms its unwavering support for the only boxer to win a world title in this country.
Manyuchi is currently training alone as his coach Ali Phiri is in the United Arab Emirates with Manyuchi’s prodigy, Brendan Denes who has a crucial bout on Saturday.
Phiri will be back In Zimbabwe on Monday and will have to immediately get down to work preparing his boxer for the crucial June battle.
Online Reporter