Chiwandire gloves up for Mexican Munoz
RENOWNED more for its drug cartels, including the Sinaloa Cartel, which is the most powerful criminal organisation in the underworld, Mexico is also the birthplace of famous boxers.
It is actually considered a boxing powerhouse, having produced over 200 world champions.
According to Erika Montoya, writing for international sports-streaming service DAZN in May, “Mexican boxing is renowned as one of the world powers, thanks to a fan-friendly style where heart, courage and resilience stand out.”
The Latin American country boasts of past and present boxing champions who captured the imagination of the world.
These include Julio Cesar Chavez (19802005), who retired with a proud 107-6-2 record and was at one time recognised as the best boxer in the world during the 1990s.
Ricardo “Finito” Lopez (1985-2001) retired undefeated in 52 fights.
The famous Saul “Canelo” Alvarez has won four categories and is the only Mexican to have an undisputed championship.
Mexico also churns out top-notch female boxers.
Anabel Ortiz is a two-time mini-flyweight world champion who held the World Boxing Association and World Boxing Council titles between 2009 and 2013.
Ibeth Zamora Silva held the WBC flyweight title from 2018 to 2021 and the WBC lightweight from 2013 to 2017.
Female boxers Jackie “Princesca” Azteca, Esmeralda Moreno, Kenia “Jaguarcita” Enriquez and Maria “Barbie” Juarez are some of the eminent stars.
Current holder of the WBC Super Bantamweight gold belt, Yamileth Mercado, also hails from this colourful country.
Interestingly, Zimbabwean boxer Kudakwashe “Take Money” Chiwandire, who is the WBC Interim Super Bantamweight champion, will have to prove her mettle when she defends her title against one of the products of Mexico’s rich culture in boxing, Zulina Munoz, in Harare.
The 26-year-old Chiwandire — a single mother of three — clinched the prized belt after defeating Catherine Phiri of Zambia in Lusaka on February 26.
Her latest title fight will be held in the capital on August 20.
It’s going to be a historic bout, as it will be the first time Zimbabwe will host a top WBC female fight since Independence in 1980.
The importance of the fight was well-captured by Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chief executive officer Lawrence Zimbudzana.
“The hosting of the WBC title defence is a significant milestone in the history of boxing in the country and continent as this is the first WBC title fight to be hosted in the country, and I am reliably informed that it is the third WBC title fight to be hosted on the continent,” he said.
Chiwandire is the first Zimbabwean female boxer to capture a WBC belt, and she acknowledges the importance of such an achievement.
She is also aware of the task that lies ahead. The 34-year-old Munoz has a strong 54-3-2 record, including 30 knockouts.
She holds the WBC International Bantamweight title after losing the World Boxing Organisation title to Dina Thorslund in Denmark on November 13, 2021.
She has lost twice in her last 10 fights. This will be her first fight in Africa since turning professional in 2005.
On the other hand, Chiwandire will step into the ring with a modest 5-2-1 record, but she will certainly draw inspiration from her victory against the highly fancied former WBC champion Catherine Phiri in February.
She is now ranked the 11th best Super Bantamweight boxer in the world on Boxrec, a place above Phiri.
Should she clear the Munoz hurdle, she will get an opportunity to gun for the gold belt, which is held by Mercado.
“With support from all Zimbabweans, I can do it,” she declared.
The Dzivarasekwa-based pugilist is actually gunning for a knockout.
“I don’t see anything difficult. I am younger than Munoz and I can do things that she cannot do, so I think a knockout is a possibility.” A US$20 000 purse awaits Chiwandire, who also received US$10 00 from President Mnangagwa last month.
Chiwandire’s match against Munoz will be the main fight of the 10-bout night.
There are some interesting match-ups on the undercard, including two international title fights.
Zimbabwean middleweight boxer Enock Musambudzi squares up against Meshack Mwankemwa of Tanzania for the African Boxing Union (ABU) middleweight championship. Local female boxer Zvikomborero Danzwa has a chance to grab an international title when she faces Mellisa Miller of South Africa for the ABU Bantamweight championship.