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A RECURRING index finger injury, suffered on his right hand about three years ago, is haunting Charles Manyuchi once again as the World Boxing Council silver welterweight champion prepares to defend his title on home soil.
The 26-year-old Manyuchi, fresh from a lackadaisical non-title win over Tanzania’s Deogratias Samwell, will put his WBC silver belt on the line against Frenchman Damien Martin on September 30 at the Harare International Conference Centre.
Manyuchi was back in Zimbabwe last week and was given a diplomatic passport on Tuesday, while Government also pledged US$5 000 for the star pugilist.
However, as the nation braces for one of the biggest boxing nights ever on Zimbabwean soil, there are fresh concerns over Manyuchi’s troublesome finger.
The boxer broke his right index finger in 2013, a few weeks before his African Boxing Union title defence against Isaac Sowa of Ghana. He defended his crown then.
The pain resurfaced last Saturday during the Samwell bout, forcing the WBC champion to limit use of his right hand.
“I felt the twinge during that fight, the pain is back again and I had to slow down a bit against Samwell. I didn’t want to risk it, remember I have a big fight on September 30,” said Manyuchi.
The Busy Bee returns to camp tomorrow and is confident his pedigree will see him past 30-year-old Martin.
“We will see how it goes with the medical team but I am not worried much. I will be good to go by September 30. I am not even worried either about my opponent; it is Damien Martin who should be scared of Manyuchi because I am the champion.”
Martin is ranked 138 on the world welterweight boxing rankings, is unbeaten in his last eight fights and carries a record of 25-8-4 going into his fight against Manyuchi.
The Frenchman’s most recent victory was in April against 284th-ranked Mouhamed Sder of Belgium.
On the other hand, Manyuchi has a record of 19-2-1 after last Saturday’s victory over Samwell and is ranked 21st in the world.
He is unbeaten since April 16, 2010 when he lost a non-title bout on points to Page Tshesane of South Africa in Mpumalanga.
Should Manyuchi sail past Martin, a rematch with Russia’s Dmitri Mikhaylenko is on the cards, tentatively before year-end.
Manyuchi defeated Mikhaylenko for the vacant WBC silver title in Russia in May.
Online Reporter