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Felix Venganayi

Ricky Zililo, Senior Sports Reporter
ZIMBABWEAN boxer Felix Venganayi is among a host of African pugilists selected to fight in Manchester, United Kingdom next month.

The bill dubbed “Africa vs UK” is set for November 10 and is part of the Friday Fight Nights series organised by ESPN Kwese and South African boxing promoters Kalakoda.

Venganayi (34), will trade leather with Joe Murray of UK in a WBC Silver International lightweight title.

The Gweru-born boxer who is now based in Cape Town has 14 career fights, recording 10 wins and four defeats.

Venganayi heads to Manchester bubbling with confidence after winning his last two fights – a KO against Luvuyo Mzamo last Friday in Cape Town and a TKO against George Owano who he fought at rainbow Towers, Harare on August 25.

Some of the African boxers going to Manchester include World Boxing Federation (WBF) All-Africa heavyweight champion Elvis Moyo who will fight British boxer Adam Machaj in a non-title fight.

The Bulawayo Bomber, as Moyo is affectionately known, secured the bout after reclaiming the vacant continental title by knocking out Kenya’s Bernard Adie at the Harare International Conference Centre on Friday night.

Namibia’s Abraham Ndeandapo will fight against Ryan Doyle for the WBC International junior lightweight title, with Angola’s Christiano Ndomassy trading blows with Rick Godding in a middleweight title bout.

Kalakoda Promotions director Steve Kalakoda said the Manchester bill which will feature the two Zimbabweans, Moyo and Venganayi will be streamed live on Kwese Sport.

Meanwhile, Moyo said he is ready to outsmart Machaj.

“I have been working hard trying to shed off a few kilos so that I go to the UK weighing between 112kg and 114kg. I fought Adie and I was slow. If I lose a few kilos I will be faster and able to land powerful punches when I fight Machaj,” said Moyo.

According to boxrec.com, Machaj has nine career wins from 11 bouts. His two defeats were against Kamil Sokolowski on September 6, 2014, and Dominic Akinlade on October 15, 2016.

Machaj last fought on May 19 when he knocked out Tom Dallas.

Moyo said he is not scared of his opponent and believes victory against Machaj would open more opportunities for him.

“From what I heard, they are trying to set Machaj for an international bill and this is an opportunity for me to prove to the world that I’m a good boxer.

“I’ll beat him up and leave his handlers shocked. I’m grateful to Kalakoda Promotions, who are facilitating the Machaj fight, and I’m going to repay their faith in me by clobbering the Briton,” said Moyo. — @ZililoR