Since his famous triumph last May that gave him the World Boxing Council welterweight silver title beating Russian opponent Dmytri Mikhaylenko in Russia, Zimbabwean star pugilist Charles Manyuchi is yet to defend his title.
BY MUNYARADZI MADZOKERE
But next week, Manyuchi will fight to retain his crown for the first time against Uzbekistan’s Qudratillo Abduqaxorov at OCBC Arena in Singapore on March 25.
The Zambia-based boxer is relishing the fight which he believes will catapult him to international recognition.
“I know that I will be fighting away from home, but I will not be intimidated. This is an opportunity for me to show the world what I am made of,” Manyuchi said yesterday ahead of the title bout.
Since he stunned Mikhaylenko, Manyuchi has only fought Colombian Jose Agustin Julion Feria in a non- title fight, whom he stopped in 162 seconds at the Harare International Conference Centre on October 14 last year.
Manyuchi’s manager at Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions, Chris Malunga, gave assurances that the boxer was ready for the fight.
“I would like to assure both the nations of Zimbabwe and Zambia that we are ready for the upcoming title defence by Manyuchi. Charles has been in camp and prepared himself adequately for the fight.
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“The coach (Mike Zulu) has assured me that Charles has been responding very well to training and is ready for the fight and I have also personally attended the training sessions and seen what has been happening,” he said.
The boxer and his team were supposed to have left Zambia for Singapore on Monday, but were delayed by challenges with the manager’s ticket.
Abduqaxorov (23), who has won all his 10 professional fights, is an upcoming Uzbekistani boxer keen to make a mark in the world who will be fighting Manyuchi on familiar grounds.
Hong Kong referee Raymond Chang has been tasked to handle the bout while the judges’ panel includes Chan Soo Kim (South Korea), Jerrold Tomeldan (Philippines) and Noppharat Sricharoen (Thailand)
Abraham Kahlil is the match supervisor.
