‘Take Money’ sets up training camp in South Africa

Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter

WORLD Boxing Council super-bantamweight interim champion Kudakwashe Chiwandire is expected to arrive in Johannesburg, South Africa, this morning for a 10-day training camp as she wraps up preparations ahead of her title defence later this month.

The 26-year-old is scheduled to defend her belt against Mexican Zulina Munoz (35) at the Harare International Conference Centre (HICC) on August 27.

This will be the first time that a WBC-sanctioned match will be held in Zimbabwe.

There will be so much at stake, including a US$20 000 pay cheque for the winner who will also secure the right to challenge for the gold title.

Chiwandire, who grabbed the prestigious crown on February 26 after defeating Catherine Phiri of Zambia and has been in camp over the past two months has not been getting any sparring partners in this country.

She has since secured three boxers in South Africa who she will spar with as the highly-rated pugilist fine-tunes for the historic encounter on August 27.

The boxer was supposed to have travelled to Cape Town, South Africa, on July 18 but she had to shelve the plans to attend the WBC training and grading workshop held in Victoria Falls late last month.

Her management team, led by coach/promoter Clyde Musonda, as well as anchor sponsors KGK Logistics then rearranged the trip and also decided that she camps in Johannesburg rather than in Cape Town due to the latter’s low temperatures this time of the year.

“We decided to cut the stay short that is why we then shelved the trip until now,” Musonda said.

“We have been training since our victory in Zambia back in February but one thing has been glaringly lacking. “We have been failing to find sparring partners over the months in the country and that means the boxer has not been in the ring since February.

“We should train the way we fight and we badly need ring-work to fully prepare for a bout.

“So we have secured three fighters in Johannesburg whom we will be training with. I would like to thank our sponsors, KGK Logistics, for making sure that this trip became a reality.

“This is the first time that we have been afforded a chance to train outside the country. We really appreciate this gesture and we hope that it will help us attain the best shape possible as we prepare for the title defence.

“This is a fight we badly need to win. Look, this is the first time that a WBC fight will be taking place in Zimbabwe. We need to be at our best so this training camp will help us in a long way.” Chiwandire said she feels very much in a good shape and the camp will help her.

“I can’t thank my sponsors KGK Logistics enough. They have made my trip a reality. I feel honoured to have been afforded a chance to camp for more than a week outside the country. That means I am being recognised and I can’t afford to disappoint a country that is backing me that much,” said Chiwandire.

“I am feeling fit and ready to defend my title. But sparring partners have not been forthcoming so we had to secure some in South Africa.

“I am excited beyond definition. I will try by all means to sharpen up so that I won’t disappoint when I get into the ring on August 27.

“You know, getting people like KGK Logistics on your side, those people who invest in you, is a very humbling thing. I have to pay back by making them proud. I have to put in the work, put in the effort, do everything and make sure I am in the right spirit, come the big day.” Chiwandire, whose trip to Zambia for her fight against Phiri was bankrolled by Zororo Phumulani, has also been promised support by the same company.

Speaking from South Africa, Zororo Phumulani Marketing Manager, Tendai Mangoti, said they were committed to helping Chiwandire achieve her dreams.

“We are aware that Chiwandire will be in South Africa for 10 days and we will be taking care of her everyday needs, including providing a vehicle she will be using for shuttling for the duration of her stay,” said Mangoti.

“We have also lined up different recreational activities including a farewell dinner to make her stay an unforgettable experience. We will do everything we can to help her.”

Mangoti hinted that he will arrange activities in which Chiwandire will be meeting other Zimbabwean sports personalities based in South Africa.