×
NewsDay

AMH is an independent media house free from political ties or outside influence. We have four newspapers: The Zimbabwe Independent, a business weekly published every Friday, The Standard, a weekly published every Sunday, and Southern and NewsDay, our daily newspapers. Each has an online edition.

Australian boxer eyes Manyuchi

Sport
REIGNING World Boxing Council (WBC) International Welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi could be set for his third mandatory title defence against one of Australia’s hottest boxing prospects Jeff Horn in March or April.

REIGNING World Boxing Council (WBC) International Welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi could be set for his third mandatory title defence against one of Australia’s hottest boxing prospects Jeff Horn in March or April.

BY DANIEL NHAKANISO

Manyuchi, who parted ways with Zambian promoters Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions last December, is yet to get into the ring since successfully defending his WBC International Welterweight title for the second time against Italian Gianluca Freeza in July.

With pressure now mounting on Manyuchi to secure a title contender for his belt by next month or risk being stripped of the title, the Zimbabwean boxing star welcomed the challenge by Horn.

Manyuchi told NewsDay Sport yesterday that although he was yet to hear from Horn’s New Zealand-based promoters Duco Events, he would, however, be open to the idea as he is desperate to get back in the ring.

MANYUCHI

“I haven’t had any fights since July last year so I’m desperate to get back in the ring. Unfortunately, I’m yet to hear from Jeff Horn and his camp, but if they do get in touch and manage to reach an agreement with my handlers I would be willing to fight against him,” Manyuchi said.

“As I speak to you right now I have finalised a deal with my new handlers. I can’t reveal their identity at this stage as they have requested to formally make the announcement themselves”

According to FOX Sports Australia, Horn, who represented Australia at the London Olympics four years ago, has set his sights on a fight against either Manyuchi or former world champ Randall Bailey, from the US.

“Brisbane Olympian Jeff Horn’s next fight at the Brisbane Convention Centre on March 2 will be against either World Boxing Council International Welterweight (67kg) champion Charles Manyuchi, from Zimbabwe, or former world champ Randall Bailey, from the US.”

“Negotiations with both fighters are currently ongoing. Schoolteacher Horn is the number seven contender for the WBO welterweight title that Tim Bradley will defend against Manny Pacquiao in April,” Fox Sports said in a report at the weekend.

Horn, who recently singed a lucrative broadcast deal with Australia’s leading pay-per-view sports channel Fox Sports, is unbeaten in 14 fights with 13 wins, and a draw.

In his last bout he manhandled European Union champ Ahmed El Mousaoui from France, who had lost just once in 24 previous fights. However, if the fight against Manyuchi goes ahead it would be Horn’s toughest thus far in his career.

Manyuchi whose record stands at 17 wins, two losses and one draw is rated the 13th best welterweight boxer on the world rankings, 16 places higher than Horn.

The Zimbabwean boxer rose to fame when he wrestled the WBC International Welterweight belt from Patrice Allotey of Ghana in March 2014.

His first successful defence was against Devis Caceres of Colombia in Lusaka, Zambia, before his stunning victory over Italian champion Freeza in July.