Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda
Zimpapers Sports Hub
THE chance meeting between former European heavyweight champion Derek Chisora and Rusape-bred boxer Anesu Motsi was short, but smooth.
It had a lasting impact on Motsi, a heavyweight boxer from Manicaland with a dream of becoming a world champion.
Time could be running out for the 32-year-old Motsi, who is yet to lay his hands on any professional belt, but the burly boxer felt renewed when he met up with Zimbabwean-born British heavyweight boxer Chisora in Dubai last week.
The pair met at the 2025 IBA Men’s World Championships which ended on December 13.
While Chisora is a globally recognised pugilist who has fought against some of the best in the world including undisputed heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk, Motsi is a boxing upstart with wild dreams.
“I was extremely happy to meet the living boxing legend from my home country, even though the meeting happened in a foreign land.
“After talking to him, I now feel renewed and I have more hunger for success,” Motsi told Zimpapers Sports Hub.
Motsi returned home without a medal but the chance meeting with Chisora was a victory on its own.
“Chisora is the only boxer from Zimbabwe who has fought against the world’s top opponents, so he is more like an inspiration to me.
“When I shook hands with him, it felt like an anointment.
“It might not be today, tomorrow or next month but one thing is for sure, one day I will be a champion.
“The meeting with Chisora changed me in a positive way,” added Motsi.
The 41-year-old Chisora is rated the 14th best heavyweight boxer in the world by the famed sanctioning body World Boxing Council.
His last fight was an unanimous decision win over Otto Wallin in an IBF world heavyweight eliminator in Manchester on February 8.
A four-star boxer, Chisora’s record stands at 36-13-0.
Some of the prominent boxers Chisora has faced include former WBC champion Tyson Fury, Joseph Parker and Dillian Whyte.
“With all this experience, Chisora is a big name, but he still found time to chat with me and give me some advice,” revealed Motsi.
He added: “I want to do better and win a gold medal at next year’s IBA championships.
“Some people might say I am not good enough but remember even a dead clock shows the correct time twice a day, so the next chance I am given I will make sure I tick all the boxes.
“I am ready to be the next big thing in Zimbabwean heavyweight boxing.”
