‘Striker’ confident of Zim boxers

RENOWNED boxing trainer Philip “Striker” Ndlovu is confident that Zimbabwe’s duo of Elvis Moyo and Sting Gonarenda will emerge victorious in their respective World Boxing Federation ( WBF) AllAfrica title fights set for Harare’s Rainbow Towers on Friday.

South African-based Moyo will trade leather with Bernard Adie of Kenya for the vacant WBF Africa heavyweight title, while Harare’s cruiserweight boxer Sting Gonarenda is set to fight Tanzania’s Kamanji Ramadan in a WBF African Championships bout.

Ndlovu has had flirtations with both pugilists and will be in Moyo’s corner on Friday at the Kalakoda Promotions and Kwese Sport boxing bill dubbed “Harare Geddon”.

“It’s an honour for me to be by Elvis Moyo’s corner on the day of the fight and I know that my journey to Harare will not be in vain as the boy will reclaim the title he won in 2013 when he defeated former South African Champion Osborne Machimana.

“He (Moyo) might have spent about four years out of the boxing ring, but I think he proved he is a good boxer when he won in Namibia last month. I also believe that his participation in cage fighting has also made him a better fighter,” said Ndlovu.

“As for Gonarenda, he has a big heart and this being a chance to lay his hands on a continental title, I think he will grab it with both hands. He will be at home and that home support and his skill makes him favourite. What people of Zimbabwe need to do is come in their numbers and rally behind these boxers and we have to make it a point that these titles stay in Zimbabwe,” he added.

The trainer, who runs a gym at Tshaka Youth Centre where Moyo started his career, is expected to leave Bulawayo for Harare this afternoon where he will link up with Moyo as they round-up preparations for the fight.

Moyo is expected in Harare this morning to promote his first fight in Zimbabwe since turning professional in South Africa in 2008.

His last bill in Zimbabwe was against Edmos Takawira in a bout promoted by Stalin Mau Mau in 2008.

Friday night will see seven under card bouts stacked with some of the country’s finest boxers.

Local favourite Tinashe Madziwana will face countryman Tapuwa Tembo in a bantamweight bout.

According to organisers, the event will be broadcast in 38 countries on Kwese Sports 1, Kwese Free Sports, Soweto TV, ZTV and streamed globally on the Kwese mobile app.