Sundaymail Editor
Langton Nyakwenda
Sports Reporter
WHEN Diana Makumbe and Monalisa Sibanda made their professional boxing debuts 17 years ago, there were only a handful of female boxers in Zimbabwe.
Makumbe is one of the pioneers of female boxing in the country, having first stepped into the ring on October 15, 2005, against Wadzanai Magombo. She, however, retired after her loss to Ellen Simwaka of Malawi in September 2016. Sibanda also debuted on the same day as Makumbe against Esther Phiri of Zambia at Stodart Hall in Mbare.
The duo inspired more females to take up the sport. Nyasha Mufuti and Nyarai Mangenda, who have since fallen off the radar, are some of the female athletes who joined the sport, making their debut in 2009. Today, Zimbabwe boasts a WBC Interim Super bantamweight champion, Kudakwashe ‘Take Money’ Chiwandire, while promising boxers like Zvikomborero Danzwa and Revai Madondo have also emerged.
The list includes Patience Mastara, Chiedza ‘Queen Tiger’ Homakoma, Sehliselswe Nhliziyo, Mitchell Mubaya and Monica Mkandla.
To put the icing on the cake, the Zimbabwe National Wrestling and Boxing Control Board is currently being led by a woman, Vee Chibanda.
Makumbe is also part of the board. But most female boxers are facing various challenges. Two years ago, at the height of Covid-19, most boxers contemplated quitting owing to lack of sponsorship and activity.
Other pugilists complained about paltry purses, which can be as low as US$50 per fight. A local female boxer was recently paid US$100 for a four-round bout.
It seems reasonable until one considers the fact that active female boxers in Zimbabwe have an average of two fights per year.
There are also genuine concerns over allegations of sexual abuse of female athletes in the male-dominated sport. Chibanda’s board would need to tackle these issues when they get down to business following their appointment by Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Minister Kirsty Coventry in July.
“We are a new board that is still finding its feet. So, we are still consulting all boxing stakeholders and once that process is complete, we will then come up with the way forward,” Chibanda told The Sunday Mail Sport.
“But, as a board, we have a passion for the sport and we would want to grow it and make sure boxers can have a sustainable life out of the sport. It’s not only about the boxers but we also have promoters, managers, referees and all who are also dependent on boxing.”
Sustainability and consistency have been lacking among female pugilists, some of whom last fought 15 months ago.
Primrose Ndhlovu and Sibongikisi Masuku made their debuts in June 2021 but have since disappeared from the scene. Wishes Murwiri also has one professional fight, a loss against Homakoma on May 8, 2021.
Clara Marambakuwanda only has two bouts and was last in the ring in 2018.
Highly rated Danzwa — who has a decent record of eight wins, two losses and a draw — last fought on June 5, 2021.
The 22-year-old has been in the gym to prepare for a match that is failing to materialise. “Boxing is the sport that we love a lot, but at the end of the day you are disappointed,” said Danzwa.
“Today you are told there is an upcoming fight and the next thing the fight is cancelled, and yet you will have prepared for that match,” said Danzwa.
“We are girls who stay with their parents. And they want to see some progress because most of the times we leave home without performing household chores to go and train.”
She also lamented lack of sponsorship.
“Our parents expect good things out of us as the girl-child; they want us to get married and start our families but most of the time we are at the gym. So, our hope is that something tangible should come out of that gym.”
Madondo, who last traded leather when she defeated Malawian Loveness Kaka in Chivhu in August, thinks local female boxers should not solely rely on the sport.
“Sometime you get fights that pay peanuts, so you will end up thinking it’s better to hustle than to go and fight for nothing,” she said.
“That is why sometimes you discover that Revai has gone quiet, as if I am no longer playing the sport. I will be doing something else to eke out a living.” A local promoter said there were a number of reasons that are pushing female boxers away from the sport.
“Some leave the sport once they get married because their husbands are against the idea,” said the promoter.
However, Chiwandire’s recent exploits could spark more interest in boxing.
She will become the first Zimbabwean female pugilist to fight in a WBC-sanctioned match when she squares up against Zulina Munoz of Mexico for the Interim Super Bantamweight title at the Harare International Conference Centre on October 1.
Online Reporter