The rebirth of Tinago

Commonwealth champion, Langton “Schoolboy” Tinago, retired from the square ring in 1987 but his name is still dominant in boxing.
One of the most celebrated boxers in the country, Tinago retired after 106 professional fights with 82 wins and 20 defeats.

But this did not mark an end to his involvement with the sport. While he is now frail and living in poverty in Gweru, his son has shown that boxing indeed runs in the family and is carrying the name forward.
He said he is overwhelmed by bills for his Ascot home and is living from hand to mouth despite being a celebrated sportsman. The once energetic boxer retired from gainful employment on medical grounds.

At one time, five years ago, he looked frail and walked with the aid of crutches.
“At least now I can walk without using crutches.
“I can walk to Mtapa and train the boys. I am happy the boys are doing well. Four of those boys won medals at the Zimbabwe National Youth Games held in Gwanda,” said Tinago.

Schoolboy helped the Midlands Youth Games boxing team at the National Youth Games in Gwanda early this month where the boys won four medals.
Among the boxers in his stable is Breland, his son who is now 17-years-old, and promises to fulfil his father’s dream of becoming a professional boxer.
Breland is Tinago’s sixth born child and was one of the medal winners at the Youth Games in Gwanda.

The young Tinago won a gold medal in the lightweight while Tatenda Nyarota got another gold in the bantamweight weight category. Two other boxers from Tinago’s Action Youth Stable won silver medals.

“Action Youth Stable has always produced good boxers and these four did us proud. I am happy the city fathers are considering honouring the boys for winning. This will go a long in motivating them into a successful future. “To them I say this is not the end, the future is now bright and I will not let them fall into the wrong hands but continue assisting them to prosper in their careers.
“They should remain amateurs for another year and participate at next year’s Youth Games,” said Tinago.

Breland is usually a bantamweight boxer but had to gain weight.
“I am happy the coaches read it well and decided to separate Breland and Tatenda who are both in the same category, the bantamweight.

“Breland had to eat a lot more to meet the lightweight category otherwise they could have met in the finals,” said Tinago.
The former Zimbabwe champion said the young boxers need everyone’s support if the nation is to produce boxers of his calibre.

“This is the story I want to share with people. These boys need our support and I know you can do it. I do not want them to fall into the wrong hands.
“They have to prosper from their boxing careers and earn a living. Unfortunately there is not much fortune to talk about locally. One has to be a national champion to earn international fights which earn

them something.”
He said the young boxers were now getting ripe for professional boxing but needed good guidance.

“For example I turned professional at 17 in 1967 and it took me good guidance to rise to becoming a national champion and later a Commonwealth boxing champion.
“I do not see any reason why these boys will not be national champions by 2017 as long as they are properly guided. The nation has lost a lot of potential international champions because of lack of

proper guidance.” Tinago, who is married to Otilia, was born in Shurugwi on the 28 September, 1949.
His boxing career saw him win three Commonwealth titles against Nigerian Hogan Jimor in that country, another Nigerian Oke Badin at Rufaro and Australian Graham Brook at Granada Studios in Manchester.