Time for Kuda to take money against Munoz

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN female boxer Kuda Chiwandire takes to the ring tonight to defend her World Boxing Council Interim Super Bantamweight title against Mexican challenger Zulina Munoz at the Harare International Conference Centre.

Better known by her stage name “Take Money”, Chiwandire isn’t intimidated by Munoz’s experience with the 26-year-old Zimbabwean fighter determined to deliver against the 35-year-old Mexican who has 59 bouts to her name.

According to boxrec.com, Chiwandire has a 5-2-1 record, three of them knockouts while Munoz has a 53-4-2 record and 30 of them won by way of knockout.

Chiwandire said she watched a number of Munoz’s fights, warning the world number seven ranked boxer that she will give it her best to ensure she does not lose her title at home.
Chiwandire is ranked 17th.

“I am at home, in front of my own crowd and I can just promise you that the belt will remain in Zimbabwe. I can’t let my country down. The fact that the Government had to step in and let the fight go ahead means they also have faith in me and I cannot afford to disappoint the nation. She (Munoz) has to be strong, if she is not strong, she will fall down,” bossed Chiwandire.

The Zimbabwean boxer has had to deal with emotional stress in the build-up to the fight that was postponed twice, with her chances of defending her title slowly fading until the Government intervened.
Munoz told our Harare Bureau that she’s not on holiday and counts on her experience to overcome Chiwandire.

“I mean business and come the day of the fight, I will throw heavy punches on her and I will even knock her out.

“Zimbabwe is a beautiful country with beautiful people. I am very happy being here in Zimbabwe. But, I should warn my opponent to prepare herself for a thorough hiding. I am ever ready to punish her in the ring.

I have gathered enough experience and I have over 70 fights under my belt, winning 40 of them via knock-outs and I should say if she (Chiwandire) is not careful, I will also knock her out,” Munoz said.

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. – @ZililoR