adminAugustine Hwata Senior Sports Reporter
BANTAMWEIGHT pugilist Tapiwa Tembo believes he will write his own piece of history next month when he steps into the ring in his bid to become the first Zimbabwean boxer to win a world title belt.
The 22-year old Tembo will face Zambia’s Gibbon Kamota for the vacant World Boxing Union bantamweight crown over 12 rounds at the City Sports Centre on November 2.
Delta Force Boxing promotions are hosting the historic fight and have been rallying support for the South Africa-based Tembo ahead of the bout.
The belt is now in the custody of promoter Clyde Musonda and Tembo is upbeat that the belt will remain on Zimbabwean soil.
“My last fight was on June 8 in South Africa against Simo Mbande and I won, so I am not ring rusty. For now I am promising the Zimbabweans that I should win this belt.
“It’s the first time that a Zimbabwean has been able to fight for a world belt and we should not let this chance slip away.
“This fight means a lot for me and I am sure I will do well,” said the orthodox boxer. A product of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games, Tembo’s professional career has 11 fights, laced with eight wins, two draws and one defeat while Kamota’s record is 13 (4).
Tembo arrived in Zimbabwe at the weekend from his base and is now bracing for the biggest fight of his career as well as mobilising support for the bout.
“The training facilities in South Africa, where I am based, are fantastic and here in Zimbabwe we are still lagging behind.
“However, that should not be a handicap because I have been training so hard for this fight,” said Tembo.
Tembo fights under the Blood, Sweat and Thunder Boxing Stable in Cape Town.
“I train with people who are world champions and I think I know what I am getting into in this title fight,” said Tembo.
As part of his current training regime, the boxer says he goes for a 10km road run every morning before going to the gym for sparring sessions.
While Tembo and Kamota are expected to trade leather in the main bout, Musonda has also lined up other supporting bouts after the Zimbabwe Boxing Control Board chairman Paul Nenjarama said they have sanctioned the event. I know that at times the boxing fraternity had been restless but I am delighted that we are slowly getting on otherwise I would not have been associated if these were not registered promoters.
Online Reporter