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Manyuchi dates French opponent

Sport
Zimbabwe and world boxing superstar, Charles Manyuchi will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight silver title against Frenchman, Damien Martin at the Harare International Conference Centre in September this year.

Zimbabwe and world boxing superstar, Charles Manyuchi will defend his World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight silver title against Frenchman, Damien Martin at the Harare International Conference Centre in September this year.

BY TAWANDA TADERERA

MANYUCHI

This will be the first time in a long time that Manyuchi will fight on home turf since his bout with Silas Mandeya in June 2012, which he won.

Since then, his fights have been staged either in neighbouring Zambia or further abroad, with his latest victim being Russian Dmitry Mikhaylenko, whom he beat in his own backyard.

His Zambian handlers, Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotion (OQBP), have made good of their promise to bring Manyuchi’s next fight to Zimbabwe after engaging the government.

Martin has won his last six fights and boasts a record of 25 wins overall, with eight defeats and four draws.

His wins include four knockouts, while Manyuchi has a proud record of 18 wins, one draw and two defeats in his 21 bouts so far.

The Ministry of Sport and Recreation met with OQBP representatives, Christopher Malunga and Mike Zulu yesterday.

Speaking after the meeting, Malunga said Zimbabwe should be grateful to have such an honour to host the upcoming event after a long time.

He said the proposal to have the fight staged here had been approved and Zimbabweans could look forward to seeing their boxing hero live in action.

“I am happy for Zimbabwe to embrace such an opportunity to showcase their talent through boxing and the Sports ministry has shown their support by approving the tournament to take place here,” Malunga said.

“We have been aiming at the WBC silver belt. Now that Manyuchi has that belt, it is important he defends the title in Zimbabwe.”

Manyuchi expressed his gratitude, saying he was happy at being granted such an opportunity to fight on home soil.

“I am happy that the fight will be held here in Zimbabwe, which is a great honour for us and I don’t want to disappoint my nation,” he said.

For the past 10 years, Zimbabwe has failed to host an international fight, while local tournaments have also disappeared due to the economic situation.

Sports minister Makhosini Hlongwane said this was the most important event Zimbabwe will have and Manyuchi and other participants must show their talents and make the nation proud.

“I am very happy that our country is going to host such an event because it has been long since we had this in our country,” he said.

This bout has been sanctioned by the World Boxing Council, African Boxing Union and the relevant Zimbabwean authorities and will be promoted by OQBP.