Online Reporter
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
MUTARE is set to stage an unprecedented international boxing spectacle on May 23 when The Pride of Mutare Boxing Tournament makes its debut at Mutare Sports Club, drawing pugilists from six nations to the eastern border city.
Spearheaded by the renowned Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy in collaboration with Mutare City Council and Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, the event is expected to attract fans from across the country and put Mutare firmly on the national sporting map.
At the official launch at the Civic Centre on Wednesday, board chairman, Clayton Musindo, paid tribute to the local authority for backing the initiative, describing it as a milestone for boxing, and a boost for local sport tourism.
Seventeen bouts are planned, featuring talent from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and Tanzania in what organisers describe as a celebration of discipline, unity and sporting excellence.
“We have heard that Charles Manyuchi was in Chivhu, Bulawayo or Masvingo, but now he is here in Mutare, Manicaland. We are proud and delighted. We fully support this tournament, which will showcase both amateur and professional boxing. For Manicaland, it is a long-awaited return to professional bouts. Thank you the City of Mutare for this initiative. It will promote boxing, talent identification, job creation, the fight against drug and substance abuse, and community engagement, said Musindo.
Musindo stressed that all participants are fully licenced and registered, adding that the tournament will aid in talent identification, create employment, and help steer youths away from drug and substance abuse.
“Charles Manyuchi has worked closely with the board for many years, ensuring that the young boxers we nurture in Manicaland are on the right path. We also value our partnership with Mutare City Council, which has hosted numerous sporting activities. This will help keep our children away from drugs, while offering them a viable career in boxing,” added Musindo.
At the launch, Charles Manyuchi Academy public relations officer, Nicola Chiunya, said the competition will feature boxers from Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, South Africa and Tanzania, making it an international spectacle.
“This is more than a boxing tournament; it is a celebration of talent, discipline and sport’s power to unite nations. We are proud to announce 17 exciting bouts, bringing together some of the region’s finest fighters. Mutare is ready. Manicaland has a proud boxing heritage — Snake Mandeya hailed from Honde Valley, and Charles Manyuchi himself honed his skills at the Zimbabwe National Youth Games hosted here in 2005, where he won gold. This tournament is a major step for boxing in Mutare, the country and the region, giving young boxers a platform to showcase their talent and gain international exposure.
“As the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy, we continue to build pathways for the next generation of champions. We thank Mutare City Council for its partnership and support in making this event possible,” said Chiunya.
Mutare town clerk, Blessing Chafesuka, said the council had stepped in to address years of neglect in sport, noting that idleness had contributed to rising drug abuse among youths.
“Allow me to give some context. As a country, we have lagged behind in supporting sport. I was surprised to learn that Charles Manyuchi once won gold in Mutare. For years, we failed to host tournaments of this scale, and you can see the effects in our streets, with idle youths turning to drug abuse. As a city, we want to bolster youth participation in sport. We have started modestly, but we are growing steadily,” said Chafesuka.
