Online Reporter
Langton Nyakwenda in KWEKWE
FAMOUS for hosting car spinning and burnout competitions, Kwekwe Sports Arena, where 14-year-old Lucky Jr is rising into a star spinner, temporarily turned into a “warzone” on Friday night.
More than 30 boxers from Southern and East Africa converged in the “City of Gold” for the third edition of the Trabablas Boxing Tournament.
A strong crowd, including popular sports personalities such as former national team coach Jairos Tapera and Hardrock owner Shepherd Chahwanda, feasted on some sweet boxing.
Veteran female boxer Revai Madondo became the latest Trabablas champion after knocking out Malawi’s Chimwemwe Banda in the second round.
She also claimed the Women’s International Boxing Association (WIBA) bantamweight belt.
“I want to thank God for this victory,” an ecstatic Madondo said. “I love my country Zimbabwe and I always want to make my people proud.”
Although it lasted less than six minutes, the bout had the crowd, including guest of honour Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Minister Anselem Sanyatwe, on the edge of their seats.
Madondo started strongly, throwing some heavy body punches that Banda could not withstand.
In the second round, Banda crumbled to the ground and could not recover.
The Trabablas boxing tournament, which is held in honour of President Mnangagwa, is promoted by the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy.
The tournament is now in its third edition having started in Chivhu in November last year before moving to Mutare in May.
The tournament is giving opportunities to both local and foreign boxers.
One such beneficiary is Zambian boxer Mbachi Kaonga.
The Zambian heavy hitter, who fights under the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy stable, pummeled Freeman “Sekuru Gudo” Mabvongwe into submission to become the new World Boxing Federation super-middleweight champion.
Kaonga says his dream is to one day become a world champion and make both Zambia and Zimbabwe proud.
“These two nations are like twins, Zambians and Zimbabweans are one people,” he said.
“I want to thank Jesus Christ, the son of the living God, for tonight’s victory, it was not by my strength, but by God’s power.”
Rising Zimbabwean boxer, Marlon Chivero, claimed the WBF super-bantamweight belt after a classic second-round knockout victory over Moses Banda.
There were 18 bouts on the card, including a comeback fight for former World Boxing Federation featherweight champion Tatenda “Signature” Biningu.
Biningu won via a second-round knockout against Hollyce Kazembe of Malawi.
World Boxing Federation super-flyweight champion, Tinashe “Mr Jones” Majoni, also impressed with his well-calculated punches and great movement.
Majoni outclassed Sean Josephy of Malawi in a non-title fight that also didn’t last the distance.
The other Zimbabweans who won their fights included Tinashe Marume and John Andrew, both from the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy.
Minister Sanyatwe encouraged the boxers to aim for bigger achievements.
“Keep up the good work, for the sky can only be the limit,” he said.
