Raylton host boxing graduation night

Langton Nyakwenda

Zimpapers Sports Hub

ACCORDING to the local boxing board, only 60 professional boxers have registered with the authority so far this year.

About 90 registered with the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) last year.

Professional boxers pay an annual registration fee of US$15, but most of them only register when there is a looming tournament.

Some of the active professional boxers in the country include former World Boxing Council Silver welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi, former African Boxing Union Lightweight champion Aliyah Phiri and World Boxing Federation Super-Flyweight title holder Tinashe “Mr Jones” Majoni.

“We should be having figures surpassing 300, but for now those are the numbers we have,” ZNBWCB chief executive officer Priscilla Kandungure told Zimpapers Sports Hub.

“That’s why we are pushing to establish conditions that attract professional boxers to come and register.

“You will see a lot of programs across the country aimed at stimulating boxing interest. 

“Due to the lack of tournaments, boxing has become more like a side hustle; that’s why numbers are dwindling.”

This scarcity of professional boxers has prompted veteran promoter Stalin Mau Mau to organise a tournament that will see over 15 amateur boxers turning professional.

Dubbed the “Graduation Night,” Mau Mau’s tournament will see a number of amateurs turning professional at Raylton Sports Club in Harare tomorrow.

“It has been long since I staged a boxing tournament, but the good thing is I am back.

“I would like to commend other boxing stables like Otto Boxing Club for holding the fort,” said Mau Mau.

Regarded by some as local boxing’s granddad, Mau Mau feels there’s a shortage of professional boxers in Zimbabwe.

This has inspired him to try and help amateurs in their pursuit of becoming professional.

“With this current situation, the boxing board might end up being generals without an army,” said Mau Mau.

“I feel there’s a shortage of professional boxers in Zimbabwe.

“That’s why we have arranged a graduation night for amateurs intending to turn professional.

“We look forward to at least 15 bouts.

“We have a lot of amateur boxers in Zimbabwe, quite a lot, but not enough.

“But it’s a mixed grill, the worst and the best.

“This kind of tournament inspires people in the amateur ranks to work harder,” said Mau Mau.