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By Gilbert Munetsi recently in Lusaka, Zambia
A four-member Zimbabwean boxing contingent that traveled to Zambia last weekend for champion boxer Charles Manyuchi’s Lusaka edition of the Grand Finale achieved a 100 percent record as they managed to beat their opponents in all contests participated in.
Manyuchi (34) who has since indicated that he is spiking his gloves after a professional ring career that spans two decades.
While his post fighting plans are concentrating on other business interests, he has also ensured he preserves a legacy that saw him amass a total 13 belts, albeit in circumstances in which his professional and social lives have been without blemish.
The Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy trio of Tatenda “Signature” Biningu, Clever “Cluver” Sithole and Brendon “Boika” Denes posted convincing victories against their adversaries in their respective eight round bouts before Manyuchi himself concluded the triumphant streak by beating his Zambian opponent, Donald Kampampa, by a unanimous points verdict.
Manyuchi and his subordinates from a boxing project he has founded – CMBA – were undercards in a 10-bout promotion put together by his Zambian former handlers, Oriental Quarries Promotions.
The event was held at the Government Complex, which for years had been Manyuchi’s hunting ground during his contractual tenure at Oriental Quarries.
After winning his debut African Boxing Union welterweight title in Burkina Faso in 2013, he turned the same Government Complex into a ‘slaughterhouse’ for a couple of World Boxing Council title matches against the likes of Ghanaians Isaac Sowah and Patrick Allotey, as well as Devis Ceseres from Colombia.
That Zimbabwe’s ambassador to Zambia, Charity Charamba, was on Saturday in the house to cheer her country folk was enough motivation for the four out of four achievement that made the Zimbabweans return home with their heads held high.
Biningu, the first Zimbabwean to take to the ring, set the pace with a scintillating performance against Mombela Mukuni that even won him the support of the Zambian fans.
A hard hitter who leaves nothing to chance, “Signature” was all business from the first bell, subjecting his opponent to barrages of body punches and signature hooks and uppercuts that made his opponent’s corner throw in the towel to save their man from further punishment.
The Zimbabwean, who has fought four times during the course of the year takes his tally to 12 victories and a single loss, making him a definite candidate for a second title come 2024.
He is a current World Boxing Federation champion.
Sithole and Denes were up to task as they also got the better of their foes – Alick Mwenda of Malawi and Congolese Sherrif Kasongo respectively.
Around the stroke of midnight, in stepped Manyuchi to preserve and enhance the lead. Fighting in the heavyweight division, he gave his opponent, Donald Kampampa a good run for his money.
And so excited with the victory was Ambassador Charamba and her entourage that on Sunday afternoon, they hosted the boxers, accompanying media and a 15 member supporters’ delegation to lunch at the Zimbabwe residence.
The envoy in her address spoke at length about the need to take sport seriously as it provides a gateway to a decent livelihood.
She hailed Manyuchi for his decision to give a platform to other youngsters through his academy so they too can tread the path he did. Manyuchi autographed and handed as a souvenir to the ambassador the pair of boxing gloves that he used for his fight in Lusaka. Nhau/lndaba
