Manyuchi’s ‘Magnificent Seven’
HE might have hinted on plans to retire from the sport but Charles Manyuchi, who is arguably Zimbabwe’s biggest boxing name at the moment, feels rejuvenated when he reflects on an international career that clocked exactly seven years last Sunday.
Manyuchi’s road to stardom began on June 28, 2013 when he won the African Boxing Union welterweight title — his first international title — in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
Against all odds, a then 24-year-old Manyuchi stopped Burkinabe boxer Patrice Sou Toke at Le palais des Sports de Ouga 2000, to become the new African welterweight champion.
Sou Toke had lost once in 18 matches and had not been defeated in Burkina Faso for nine years before facing Manyuchi.
“That was a grand arrival on the international stage. Nobody gave me a chance back then, but I was so determined to put Zimbabwe on the international boxing map,’’ Manyuchi said.
After defending his ABU title against Ghanaian Isaac Sowah, Manyuchi moved a notch higher in March 2015, when he defeated Patrick Allotey for the vacant World Boxing Council International welterweight title.
He registered his first win in Europe and retained his WBC International title on July 18, 2015 after beating Gianluca Frezza at Sequals, Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy.
That victory attracted both national and international attention.
The late former President Robert Mugabe was charmed by Manyuchi’s exploits and invited the pugilist to State House, where he gave him a US$50 000 token of appreciation.
“Through boxing I managed to meet a lot of influential people. It was through this sport that I met former President Mugabe; it was such a great honour.
“Boxing helped me to realise most of my dreams, especially being someone who grew up in a poor family,” Manyuchi said.
As Manyuchi’s profile grew, he also began to catch the eye of renowned matchmakers.
His handlers then, Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions of Zambia, also did a splendid job in setting up lucrative fights for Manyuchi.
One such fight was the WBC Silver welterweight title bout against Dmitry Mikhaylenko of Russia in Ekaterinburg on May 6, 2016.
Manyuchi claimed the vacant title via a unanimous decision and upon his return home, thousands of boxing fans thronged Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport to welcome their new hero.
“I rose from zero to hero and I guess I have represented Zimbabwe quite well. I have had good and bad days in the ring, but overall, I am impressed with my career. Now I am preparing for my retirement, that’s why I am into projects like livestock farming.
“But, all this would not have been possible if I didn’t get money from the ring.”
◆ ing Derbyshire’s tour of Zimbabwe in March.
The tour could have opened doors for him.
“It was tough staying indoors for almost three months.
“I had been called up for the Chairman’s Xl for the Derbyshire County’s tour to Zimbabwe; and if you remember correctly, we played a couple of matches before we were told to go back due to the pandemic.
“Staying at home, doing nothing, has been tough on the body and mind. Luckily my family has been around and that has helped pass the time smoothly,” he said.
With the Pro50 Championship now in the bag, he has turned his attention to the Logan Cup.
“I am yet to have any low points, but if I had to choose something, then maybe not winning the Logan Cup yet, is something I regret.
“I want to make sure I have that title on my CV,” Akram said.