Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
IT’S a night that could produce another international boxing champion.
Dubbed “Rise of Champions 5”, tomorrow night’s international boxing tournament at 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale has a star-studded bout card.
Former World Boxing Council Silver welterweight champion, Charles Manyuchi, is part of the cast.
Ex-World Boxing Federation International Lightweight champion, Evans “Vanso” Husayihwevhu takes aim at the national title while Hassan Milanzi will defend his WBF title on the same night.
Former African Boxing Union Lightweight champion, Aliyah Phiri, also makes a return to the ring after serving a one-year doping suspension.
But, the biggest fight on the night will pit Zimbabwe’s talented pugilist Tinashe “Jones” Majoni against Aubrey Masamba of Malawi.
They will fight for the vacant WBF Super Flyweight belt.
For long, Majoni has been touted as the next big thing in local boxing.
Finally, he has a chance to lay his hands on an international belt tomorrow.
“This is very important and to the fans I want to say come and witness the most exciting bouts between the best boxers from our country against the best foreign boxers,” Majoni told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
The 26-year-old orthodox fighter has won 10 of his 11 fights.
His handlers, Otto Boxing Stable, are convinced the boxer is now ripe for an international title.
Should he beat Masamba tomorrow night, then Majoni will become the second boxer from Otto Boxing Stable to hold a WBF title, after Milanzi who defends his Super Bantamweight belt against Abdul Kubira of Tanzania on the same night.
“Preparations for the big fight are going on well, as expected. But it’s always tough to prepare for a fight of this magnitude,” said Majoni.
WBF president, Howard Goldberg, will witness the fight.
“To me, this is very important because I am fighting for a title which is the aim, and wish of every boxer.
“So, this fight means everything to me, it is also my first international title fight in my career.
“I really think I deserve it because I had a lot of promises before and a lot of discussions concerning these titles, so it’s great that it’s happening now,” added Majoni.
His last fight was a third round TKO win against Pemphero Nkhoma of Malawi at the same venue in July last year.
He won over the crowd with his movement and ability to pack powerful body punches that forced his opponent to give up in the third round.
That victory pushed his record to 10-1-0.
Majoni feels now is the time for him to claim an international belt.
Masamba (30), who has a 6-9-2 record stands between Majoni and his first international title.
