Sundaymail Editor
Online Reporter
Boxing enthusiasts are set to enjoy local bouts from the comfort of their homes after Delta Force Boxing Academy struck a partnership with Zimpapers Television Network (ZTN) for live coverage of their fights.
Delta Force are one of the ZTN, Delta Force Boxing Academy in Pound-for- Pound deal boxing stables in Zimbabwe.
They are widely known for the Pound-to-Pound Friday boxing tournaments, which have a huge following.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, ZTN head of sports Howard Musonza said: “Our approach is to put local first. No one is going to come here and tell our stories, so our thrust is telling our own stories.
“There are a lot of boxers outside but our boxers didn’t have the platform …
“But, in terms of publicity, it’s been lacking, hence us partnering with Delta Force to make sure that we capture every event that we publicise.”
It is believed local boxing tournaments could help unearth top pugilists who could emulate yesteryear greats like Arifonso Zvenyika and the late pair of Langton “Schoolboy”Tinago and Proud “Kilimanjaro” Chinembiri.
“All these memories need to be captured somewhere. This is where we want to televise the Pound-for-Pound Friday Boxing tournaments. We started with the Premier Soccer League,” said Musonza.
ZTN head of channel Morris Mkwate added that one of the key pillars which the station is driving is sport.
“Sport really brings people on the same platform …
“We started with football. We have been live streaming Premier Soccer League games and we believe outside football, boxing is the next big thing.”
Delta Force Boxing Academy director Clive Musonda is a satisfied man.
“We are excited with this partnership with ZTN in which we are showcasing 11 events on our calendar.
“It will feature our local boxers as well as international boxers, and this move will surely see us putting Zimbabwe boxing on the map,” Musonda said.
ZTN is also set to broadcast the entire Pound-for-Pound Friday boxing tournaments as well as the World Boxing Council (WBC) Super Bantamweight title fight between Kudakwashe Chiwandire and Catherine Phiri.
Online Reporter