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Tadious Manyepo Sports Reporter
AN increasing number of Zimbabwean boxers are threatening to hang up their gloves citing the gross unprofessionalism with which the sport is being run in the country.
In an unprecedented development in the history of this game in Zimbabwe, pugilists who participated in the few tournaments held this year have had their records removed from Boxrec.
The latter is the authoritative record keeping system for boxers across the globe and is the reference point whenever a fighter is considered for a bout.
But some upcoming pugilists have had the misfortune of having their records plucked out with one of them Issa Aliyah Phiri who posted one of the most remarkable wins by a Zimbabwean in recent years actually considered “inactive” by Boxrec.
Phiri became the first fighter to stop Namibia’s Harry Simon at the Venue in Harare on June 14.
Before that, Simon was in cruise mode, winning all the 20 professional bouts he had been involved in.
Initially, the fight result was documented on Boxrec earning Phiri a star and a half, a development which would have given him a good chance to challenge for prestigious belts.
But he is now in dire straits while Simon’s perfect record has also been erased.
Phiri is not alone in this predicament.
Tinashe “Chairman” Mwadziwane, who beat Malawi’s Yobe Kamnyonyo to claim the WBF intercontinental lightweight title in Chivhu late in July has also suffered the same fate.
The talented fighter had last been in the ring 17 months prior to that victory and he was bracing for the next challenge but according to Boxrec, he is no longer a champion.
Even the legendary Charles Manyuchi, whose showdown against Limbani Lano of Malawi was the main bout on Madziwana’s card, is licking his wounds.
The former WBC silver welterweight king was victorious in that first of his last trilogy and Boxrec recorded the win before pulling it down.
Collen Nyamambishi, Simon Madanhire and Revai Madondo have also been affected by the boob.
Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chairperson Vee Chibanda said her commission is following the issue up with Boxrec.
“The Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (the Board) noted with concern that BoxRec, the widely recognized online boxing records database, has temporarily suspended Zimbabwean athletes’ fights on their platform.
“The board has engaged Boxrec on the issue and they have advised that there are some outstanding payments. The Board is now working with BoxRec to resolve the issue,” said Chibanda.
“We understand the importance of supporting and promoting our athletes, therefore, we assure the Zimbabwe boxing fraternity and community that the matter is under serious consideration and will be rectified soon.
“All Zimbabwean athletes’ fights will be fully and accurately reinstated on BoxRec accordingly.
The Board remains committed to fostering a fair and transparent environment for boxing enthusiasts. We value our partnership with governing bodies, athletes, promoters, and stakeholders. Collaborative efforts are being made to resolve any outstanding issue and promote the sport on a global scale”.
However, promoters seem to have lost confidence with the board.
“We suspect that all this is a result of the in-house squabbles within the board,” said one promoter.
“We are fully compliant with what the board demands us to do. We pay all the money that they ask for, even when we feel sometimes they will be abusing us. But they can’t stand for the boxers whom they claim to value. It’s very unfortunate”.
Another echoed the same sentiments.
“We expect the board to stand for the boxers. We can’t have our boxers work so hard only to have their records removed from Boxrec”.
With most of the records plucked out by Boxrec falling under the WBF umbrella, WBF president Howard Goldberg is also concerned.
“It’s one of the biggest problems for many countries in Africa because in the past there have been so many dubious and fraudulent results sent from Boxrec in Africa with no proof of the fights ever taking place.
“Then eventually, Boxrec are not interested in carrying fights that are almost hearsay. The important thing is for the commission, whether it’s Zimbabwe Boxing, Botswana, Zambia, Ghana or Tanzania, they have to put their houses in order,” he said.
“Boxing is a pro-active sport, if it’s a tournament, you have got to submit through your Boxrec editor, Zimbabwe have got a Boxrec editor I think.
“They should submit, three, four, five weeks in advance, the full bill, the name of the promoter, the venue and the date that has been approved by the commission.
“Very often we don’t actually see the fight card on Boxrec as we only submit the results and Boxrec don’t know if it’s real or not. “So step one; commissions (I am not directing the commission in Zimbabwe but all commissions in Africa), find out who your Boxrec editor is. If you don’t know, just contact Boxrec and ask.
“It’s really frustrating for the boxers, I know they work very hard, they want to climb the rankings and it’s disappointing for all sanctioning bodies because we want our fighters to get acknowledged so if I am to be direct, it’s time for the Zimbabwe Commission to up the game”.
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