Boxing coach and physical trainer Aspiration “Ziggy” Mutore believes the future is bright for upcoming boxer Nyasha Hwata, who makes his international bow at the end of this month.
The Chiredzi-based pugilist will take on Malawian Yamikani Mtambo in Blantyre in a four-round non-title bout on March 31.
He is one of the seven Zimbabweans who are set to fight at the tournament dubbed the Boxing Grand Slam.
It will be a special occasion for the 23-year-old Hwata, who will be fighting outside the country for the first time since turning professional last year.
Matore praised Hwata on his journey as a professional boxer.
The coach is certain his protégé, who boasts two wins in his two professional fights, is ready to start chasing national and international titles.
“He has immense talent,” coach Ziggy said.
“His main target is to be the first Zimbabwean WBC light welterweight title holder by 2030.
“His rise has been stunted by lack of funding, but now we have found a stable sponsor for him. He is getting funding from Cyclone Fist Promotion, so all he needs to do is to stay disciplined. The sky is the limit for the young man.”
Cyclone Fist Promotion is run by a prominent Harare businessman, who wants to remain anonymous, at least for now.
Hwata’s planned trip to Malawi in November last year for his first international bout could not materialise after he failed to raise the required funds for the trip.
The rising pugilist, who has an amateur record of 20 wins and one draw in 23 fights, is gaining respect in local boxing circles after his impressive two wins in his first ever two professional fights.
He had his debut light welterweight professional fight in the win against John Andrew in the first match of the trilogy series of Manyuchi Boxing Farewell tournaments in Chivhu at the end of July last year.
In September, he beat Terrence Muronda from Mbare-based Legends Boxing Club at The Rise of Champions II Tournament in Borrowdale, Harare.
He told our sister publication, The Standard, last year that his dream is to become a world champion, but he was not getting ahead of himself because there is still a lot of work to be done, starting with a fight against Mtambo.
The Malawian has three fights under his belt, winning two and losing one.
Matore said the Malawi trip is part of the initiative by his stable to groom young and underprivileged boxers into world champions.
"The initiative is a collaboration of my stable Boxfit, and Wesley ‘Shumba’ McDade. The boxers are being promoted by Cyclone Fist Promotion. The aim is to primarily groom and nurture these boxers into becoming world champions. We are scouting boxing from amateur level upwards. In our stable, we have prominent and former national champions like Peter Pambeni and Freeman ‘Bvongwez’ Mabvongwe whom we want them to guide the young talent. We are also trying to rehabilitate these old talents in the process.”
Boxing Grand Slam bout card
Nyasha Hwata (Zim) v Yamikani Mtambo (Mw) — 4 rounds
Hillary Josamu (Zim) v Trevor Kamphami (Mw) — 4 rounds
Peter Pambeni (Zim) v Snowden Mnyanji (Mw) — 6 rounds
Adonia Abraham (Zim) v Lyton Kabulika (Mw) — 6 rounds
Freeman Mabvongwe (Zim) v Samuel Tshabro (DRC) — 6 rounds
Ali Kambeya (Zim) v Mphatso Chikono (Mw) — 6 rounds
Obert Makaika (Zim) v Harvey Mkacha (Mw) — 8 rounds
