Ready to shine:
Manyuchi promises to deliver in boxing's big night
THE stage has been set for the biggest boxing show in this country for years when Zimbabwe’s superstar, Charles Manyuchi, plunges into a high-profile non-title welterweight showdown against Colombia’s Jose Agustin Julio Feria at the Harare International Conference Centre tonight. The 26-year-old Zimbabwean, who is also the WBC silver welterweight title holder and is aiming to be the best in his division, weighed in at 200 grammes under the required 66.6 kilogrammes for their weight division.
Feria was lighter at 700 grammes under the 66.6 kilogrammes when he stepped onto the scale at the Newscafe at Five Avenue Shopping Centre in the capital.
Manyuchi and Feria will fight in the main bout of a landmark event in which the WBC silver welterweight champion will be fighting on home soil for the first time in a professional career that has been built in Zambia with his finest hours coming in Europe.
The Zimbabwean was first expected to defend his title against a French boxer, but that arrangement fell through and he will now battle the Colombian in a bout that has been sanctioned by the WBC.
Manyuchi says the fight is for his local fans, who have supported him even though he has been building his profile elsewhere outside the country, and has promised to put on a grand show.
Acting President Phelekezela Mphoko will be the Guest of Honour at the boxing showcase which will have seven more fights on the undercard, including a women’s WBC welterweight title fight between Zambia’s Lolitha Muzeya and Agnes Mtimaukanena of Malawi.
Thousands of fans are expected to throng the HICC tonight for the biggest boxing event to be held in this country in as many years.
Manyuchi’s 33-year-old opponent, who has been talking tough, arrived at the weigh-in wearing a baseball cap inscribed “The Money Team”, the boxing family under the leadership of American superstar Floyd “Money” Mayweather.
The Colombian had his debut professional fight seven years before Manyuchi.
Feria has since gone onto the boxing ring 25 times with an impressive record of 21 wins, 14 of them by knock-out, losing only three times and drawing once.
He has won five of his last six bouts, losing once to Mexico’s Carlos Molina by a TKO on January 23 this year.
Many boxing analysts believe he will give Manyuchi a good run in this showdown and, although it is a non-title fight, it could be an explosive one between two very good boxers.
Manyuchi’s record stands at 16 fights, two defeats and a draw but, crucially, he is unbeaten in his last six fights, winning twice in Europe when the odds appeared to be against him.
His Zambian promoter Chris Malunga of the Oriental Quarries yesterday said he was happy with the way they have prepared for the big event and promised “more boxing events” in the country in the near future.
“I can confidently say that all is now set for the boxing extravaganza at the Harare International Conference Centre,” said Malunga.
“The boxers have weighed in and they are eager to go for it. I wish all of them the best when they take to the ring.
“With the smooth way things have been going, I want to promise that a lot of boxing events will take place here in Zimbabwe in the near future.
“We will hold at least four boxing tournaments in Harare in 2017 as we now have our official Zimbabwean sponsors, Mr T35,” said Malunga.
Manyuchi looked relaxed yesterday during the weigh-in which was graced by former Commonwealth boxing champion, Zvenyika Arifonso.
He says he respects his opponent but, as the champion, he needed to put on a show.
“I have great respect for Jose, but I’m the champion and I will take him as my student. Although I was preparing for a title fight, I will take this match seriously and I will be treating it as a title fight, which is very unfortunate for my opponent because I want to teach him a lesson,” he said.
“I’m going to give it my all because I’m a diplomat for my country, hence I don’t have to disappoint. I’m very fit and well prepared for this fight.
“I say to all the fans come in numbers and see punches which I have been throwing in Zambia live in Harare as I try to teach one or two lessons to my fellow boxer.”
Feria will be fighting outside his country
for the first time and has been showing his patriotism, all week, by wearing the shirt of the Colombian national football team.
“I know it will be a very tough fight, but I’m looking forward to it. The Zimbabwean people should come and see the way I will fight,” he said.
Entrance fees for the event have been pegged at $5 for the rest of the 5000-seater arena, $15 for Section B and $50 for Section A.
Light heavyweight fighter Donald Kampamba of Zambia, who is supposed to face off against Zimbabwean champion Wesley Mcdade, will need to shed off 2kg after he weighed over the limit yesterday.