Manyuchi poised for epic Mutare battle
MUTARE is poised to host one of the biggest ever boxing event when Charles Manyuchi descends on the city for a blockbuster heavyweight bout against the province’s best pugilist — Anesu“The Guy” Motsi.
The bout is being promoted by BoxAfrica Limited, an entity duly registered with Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, with jewellery firm, Betterbrands having expressed a keen interest to come on board as a principal sponsor.
Betterbrands director and Mabvuku-Tafara Member of Parliament, Scott Sakupwanya is not new to boxing after sponsoring celebrated boxer, Floyd Mayweather’s visit to Zimbabwe in 2023.
The visit was dubbed: “The Homeland Tour”.
Themed:“The Grand Finale - KnockOut Drug Abuse Now,” the contest is being earmarked for this winter, with Sakubva Stadium being the preferred venue, albeit pending availability.
Information at hand indicates that the promoter intends to include four boxers from Malawi on the rich fight card so as to give an international flair to the tournament.
Manyuchi (34) who is arguably the most decorated boxer in the country, has since indicated that he is on the verge of spiking his gloves after an eventful professional career that earned him a total 13 international titles.
These include the African Boxing Union welterweight belt, World Boxing Council international and silver, World Boxing
Federation world, Global Boxing Union, Universal Boxing Union, World Professional Boxing Federation and the World Alliance Boxing Association supreme titles.
In a journey that spans two decades, the sports ambassador boasts of 29 victories, 18 of them knockouts; four loses and a single draw in the professional ranks.
It is this feat that earned him the Annual National Sports Awards’ Sportsman and Sportsperson of the Year gongs in two consecutive years – 2015 and 2016.
He has also been twice hosted by the country’s two Presidents, and handed tokens of appreciation for having hoisted the Zimbabwe’s flag high.
Promoter, Gilbert Munetsi, who is also Manyuchi’s publicist, advisor and biographer confirmed that plans are at an advanced stage to have Manyuchi fight before his fans in Mutare.
“I can confirm that we have covered some ground in arranging this milestone event, and it is our fervent hope that Mutare folks will be treated to the best a promoter can offer in terms of a boxing bill.
“I can confirm that we have now been given the greenlight by the boxing sanctioning board to have the tournament after meeting the initial requirements expected of us.
“While we have had a positive discussion with Betterbrands, it is our hope that the business community in Mutare will also seize the opportunity and join hands with us. They will reap benefits from associating with the brand Charles Manyuchi.
“It is an event that happens once in a lifetime, and the most beneficiaries in this arrangement remain the corporate sector and residents of Mutare in general,” he said.
Manyuchi, who was last in Mutare as a guest of Government when the province hosted the Zimbabwe National Youth Games some years back, said he is thrilled to take his act to Manicaland.
“I love Mutare particularly for its hospitable people and the tourist attractions. But for me it is always business first. That “The Guy”has challenged me is testimony to his bravery.
“I have followed his boxing journey and have to admit that he has what it takes to get to the top. I am in camp preparing for the Mutare tour of duty and I promise the fans the best of ‘The Busy Bee’,” he said.
The developments come at a time when Motsi is on cloud nine after scoping a silver medal at the Mandela Cup competitions which took place in Durban, South Africa, recently.