Chronicle Editor
Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
SIX undercard bouts will support the much-awaited World Boxing Council interim super-bantamweight title fight between Zimbabwe’s Kudakwashe Chiwandire and Mexican challenger Zulina Munoz on Friday in Harare.
The title fight between Chiwandire and Munoz is set for the Harare International Conference Centre.
Government came to Chiwandire’s rescue as her dream to defend her title almost went up in flames after the promoter had failed to raise funds for the bout.
Chiwandire, whose stage name is “Take Money”, had the fight postponed twice, first in August and on October 1 as Delta Force Academy struggled to raise funds to bring Munoz.
The winner of the HICC bout will get US$20 000 and secure the right to challenge for the gold title. The other opponent for the gold title fight to be staged at a later date will come from the winner of Saturday’s bout between number one ranked Yeimi Yamleth Mercardo and Mariana Barby Juarez who trade leather in Mexico.
Zimbabweans are expected to rally behind Chiwandire, with organisers coming up with exciting undercard bouts that are likely to keep fans captivated.
The co-main bout will see Jeremiah Mhere trading leather with Tinashe Madzivano in a 10-round fight, followed by an eight rounder featuring Tatenda Diningo and Zambia’s Bernard Mhango.
Zimbabwe’s Simon Madanhire will fight against Malawi’s Brighton Mucheni in a six-round heavyweight contest, while Evans Sauwebvu locks horns with Adonia Abraham in six rounds.
Bulawayo’s Farai Makombe will battle it out in a four-round match against Mike Masodzi of Harare, a female bantamweight fight to be played over six rounds featuring local boxer Revai Madondo and Chimwemwe Banda of Malawi capping undercards fights.
Delta Force Academy’s Clyde Musonda said there will be an exhibition fight featuring former Commonwealth champion Alfonso Zvenyika and Spencer Matsangura.
Meanwhile, organisers of the bout have slashed the entry fees by 50 percent for fans who will buy advance tickets before end of day tomorrow.
The cheapest ticket is pegged at US$10 with VIP and ringside spectators having to fork out US$25 and US$100 respectively. Those who will secure their way in advance will pay half the price. — Follow on Twitter @ZililoR
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