Manyuchi shelves retirement plans, guns for WBC belt

ICONIC boxer Charles Manyuchi has decided to take a shot at the World Boxing Council Africa belt in March in a move that effectively delays his scheduled retirement from the ring.

Should the fight materialise, the celebrated Zimbabwean pugilist will box at one of his favourite hunting grounds — the Lusaka Government Complex in Zambia.

Manyuchi announced his intention to hang up his gloves last year and immediately embarked on a series of farewell fights in Chivhu, Harare and Zambia.

But the boxer’s camp seems to have realised that the 34-year-old former WBC welterweight champion still has what it takes to rule the boxing world once again.

After outclassing Zambia’s Donald Kampamba in his latest farewell fight at the Lusaka Government Complex last month, Manyuchi was convinced to consider shelving his retirement plans.

He was advised to have a go at the WBC Africa title which, if he wraps it, will pave way to challenge for WBC World titles again.

And the Masvingo-based fighter has already started preparing for what would be an emotional occasion for him.

Zambia’s Chris Malunga of Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions, the man who perfected Manyuchi to be the boxer he grew up to be, is putting together the fight and is currently seized with arranging an opponent and sorting out the logistics.

“After thorough considerations, I have decided to have another go at the WBC Africa belt,” Manyuchi said.

“The plan is to have the fight in Zambia between March and April. I am currently training hard for the scheduled bout and what I will do after will be determined by the outcome of that fight.

“That makes it all-important and that is why I have focused all my energy on training right now. I will see what happens and then decide on the next move since I have already announced my plans to retire from boxing.

“But I really want to win the WBC Africa title at the moment and roll back the hands of time.

“I am working on several aspects of my game in Masvingo. I will also be in Harare to continue with the training sessions then I will go to Zambia.

“I am really excited to go into the ring and fight for a WBC title once again. I am not taking this opportunity for granted. I will put my head on the block to make sure that I win this fight”.

Malunga confirmed the plans for the WBC Africa belt clash although he could not give out more since everything was still at the preliminary level.

“Yes, the plans for Charles (Manyuchi) to fight for the WBC Africa title are on the ground and we are working to put together the logistics right now,” said Malunga.

“I can’t say much at this stage because I normally prefer to talk when everything is in place. But we are indeed arranging for that fight and it will take place in Zambia.

“We have come a long way with Manyuchi and that is the reason why you saw him staging one of his farewell fights against Donald Kampamba here in Zambia.

“The people here love Manyuchi because they remember his exploits very well when he was still fighting under our stable.

“And to have him back again wrestling for the WBC Africa title will be really good.

But, as I have already said, I don’t want to say much at this stage because we are still planning for everything. I will give out much when we have a concrete position.”