Salute the WBC champ!

Senior Sport Reporter
WORLD Boxing Council (WBC) International Welterweight Champion, Charles Manyuchi who is basking in the glory of successfully defending his title against an Italian opponent, has received recognition not only from the First family, but from fellow pugilists and countrymen here in Manicaland. Manyuchi, who traces his roots to Masvingo, fulfilled his dream of a lifetime to meet President Mugabe when he met the iconic leader at his Munhumutapa Building offices last Thursday morning where he also received the pledge of a State banquet in recognition for his exploits.

Mutare based boxing coach Aaron Chinyamunzore, who once worked with Manyuchi in the Zimbabwe National Youth Games when the then budding boxer Manyuchi represented Masvingo Province and later Midlands, said the success at global stage was enough evidence that local amateur boxers have the chance to scale dizzy heights in their careers.

“I am also proud of his (Manyuchi) achievements. He was once a fighter in the National Youth Games representing Masvingo Province as well as Midlands. I also had a chance to work with him and saw his talent at an early stage.

“I am actually happy that now people can realise that local amateur boxers have the chance to scale dizzy heights in their careers. He has set the pace and the challenge is among the young ones to follow suit.

“He has made a name for himself and made the nation proud,” said Chinyamunzore, who is also currently in charge of Buffaloes Boxing Club in Mutare.
Manyuchi who is currently with Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions in Zambia fought against Italian Gianluca Frezza (35) in Milan.

Interestingly, this was his first fight outside Africa, his biggest bill that has put the 26-year-old pugilist on the global boxing market.
Manyuchi is ranked 48th on the world welterweight ratings, while the man he floored Frezza is a former regional WBC Mediterranean welterweight champion.
More importantly, Manyuchi has also broken into the top 20 on the WBC welterweight rankings and is unbeaten in his last 14 fights.

He has won six of those by way of knockout including the second round victory over Devis Caceres of Colombia in his first WBC International title defence in Zambia last November.

Manyuchi rose to international prominence in March 2014 when he defeated Ghanaian Patrick Allotey to land the WBC International welterweight crown.