Manyuchi’s WABA Defence Title Shifted To Zim

World Alliance Boxing Association (WABA) Supreme Middleweight Champion and Goodwill Ambassador Charles Manyuchi is contemplating defending his title in Zimbabwe this April.He faces Said Mbelwa of Tanzania.

The champion told Nhau on the sidelines of a recent awards banquet in Harare that one of his sponsors had advised him there was better mileage associated with him fighting on home soil than in a foreign country.

“I have had consultations with my sponsors regarding the defence of my WABA strap and the feeling is that it is best happening at home in Zimbabwe.”

The benefit is that it will not only be the main drawcard, but the financiers also stand to be rewarded in terms of marketing their products and services since their market is here in Zimbabwe.

“My team at Manyuchi Academy have since been requested to draft and present s budget and we are looking at April 26 to have the tournament happening,” said Manyuchi.

Earlier, there had been arrangements with Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) for him to be added as an undercard for the World Boxing Council (WBC) world title fight between Zimbabwe’s Kudakwashe Chiwandire and Catherine Phiri of Zambia scheduled for February 26.

Manyuchi niched his boxing career under the OQBP stable, winning most of his major titles that included the African Boxing Union, WBC international and WBC silver titles.His inclusion on the February card was meant to be in reciprocacy to the hospitality of the Zambian people.

The WABA Goodwill ambassador was on January 28 bestowed with a lifetime award for his contribution to the sport of boxing at a ceremony officiated by the Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Senator Monica Mutsvangwa.

Nhau journalist Gilbert Munetsi was the other recipient from boxing, receiving a prize in the Excellence in Boxing Journalism category and both categories were sponsored by Nyaradzo Holdings.

A brand ambassador for Nyaradzo Holdings, Manyuchi brags of a number of other financial backers who include Mr T35 and Magestics Enterprises, among others.Meanwhile, there are plans for Evans Husavihwevhu to fight Salim Chazama of Malawi for the vacant WABA Africa lightweight title in March.

Husavihwevhu was first given the opportunity to have a shot at the title in July last year, but the plans were jeopardised by the intensity of Covid-19 pandemic during that period. Nhau/lndaba