Two Zim Boxers Make It Into ABU Ratings

By Gilbert Munetsi

Only two Zimbabweans have made it into the African Boxing Union (ABU) rankings according to a 2022 list availed by the continental sanction body.

An affiliate of the World Boxing Council (WBC), the ABU is used by many-a-boxer to advance to the world’s most revered WBC.

After having won an ABU title, a boxer is automatically eligible to challenge for a WBC international title, after which they can vie for the silver and, ultimately, gold.

The current ratings, dominated by fighters from the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and Nigeria, only have Brendon Denese and Phillip Musariri from Zimbabwe.

The former (Denes) sits on the sixth position in the welterweight division while his compatriot, Musariri, is pegged at the seventh position in the super-welterweight.

The ratings range from the light flyweight (49kg) up to heavyweight (90.7kg).

While the heavyweight division has no champion currently, most of the contenders are from DRC and Nigeria, probably owing to the fact that people from these two countries are naturally heavily built.

“Boika’s inclusion in the ratings may be owing to his having won the WBF and WBO African championships. He has, however, been stripped of the latter for alleged failure to defend, but his team has vowed to legally fight the decision citing failure by the sanction body to give due notice.

Among the fighters who have made it in Denes’ division are the champion Chris van Heerden and three other South Africans, two Tanzanians, two Moroccans and a Togolese.

For Musariri, his record of 7 wins and one loss may be the reason for having made it. “Cobra” (as he is affectionately known in boxing circles) was late last year on the verge of fighting Paul Kamanga for an African title, but the arrangements turned to a still birth. Nhau/Indaba