Manyuchi begins preps, seeks local sponsor Charles Manyuchi

Bukhosi Mangena Sports Correspondent
TWO-time World Boxing Council (WBC) international welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi has kicked off preparations for his long awaited mandatory title defence bout in February although no local stable has committed to staging the fight.

Manyuchi’s romance with Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) of Zambia, who gave him the platform to win and defend his African Boxing Union (ABU) and WBC titles, ended controversially in November last year, with the promoters deciding not to renew his contract which had run for three years.

According to Manyuchi, his former Zambian promoters pulled the plug on him in anger following his refusal to share part of the $50,000 he was given by President Robert Mugabe in July last year for his exploits in the ring that were heightened when he defeated Gialuca Frezza of Italy in his backyard to retain the WBC title.

The $50,000 given to Manyuchi was a whopping $41,000 more than what he earned for his win in Italy.

Manyuchi stunned the world when he retained his belt after knocking out Frezza in the sixth round during their bout in Venice.

The parting of ways with OQBP left the 26-year-old racing against time to secure a new stable and facing possible sanctions from the world governing body if he fails.

The sanctions include being stripped of the WBC crown and Manyuchi’s only other option would be to write to the WBC seeking an extension of the fight date if he fails to secure a promoter by February.

Despite the dark cloud hanging over his head, the pugilist has remained hopeful of finding a new home locally before the title fight against a yet to be named challenger, saying he had received major offers from Namibia-based Sunshine Boxing Academy, which is administered by the celebrated Nestor Tobias and an unnamed stable from the United Kingdom.

Manyuchi said he would have loved to have a local sponsor for the fight as he relished a maiden world title defence at home, but would go for the other available options if his dream failed.

“I’ve started my training for the upcoming fight and I’m looking forward to it.

“I haven’t yet found a sponsor but we’re still looking into the issue because I first wanted to get a sponsor locally so that I fight at home as it has been on my mind for some time now,” he said.

“However, if all my efforts fail to materialise, then I’ll be left with no choice but to try other avenues because I’ve since received two volunteers from Namibia and the UK who want me in their stable”.

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