Zimpapers Logo

Charles Manyuchi lifts the WBC title belt he retained after making short work of Devis Cassares of Colombia (centre) in his defence bout in Lusaka, Zambia, on Saturday night

Lovemore Dube Senior Sports Editor
THE world will soon take note of one boxer called Charles Manyuchi.
On Saturday, the Masvingo Province boxer soared to new heights when he forced Colombian opponent Devis Cassares out of the ring in the third round at the Government Complex in Zambia. It was a successful title defence for the Zimbabwean who holds the World Boxing Council (WBC) International welterweight division crown.

Having previously defeated opponents from the continent, this was Manyuchi’s real chance to prove to the world that he is made of sterner stuff and deserves a better ranking than his present top 50. A better rating could see him move closer to fighting real opposition in Mayweather and Pacman, considered the best in the ring over the division.

With Latin America boxers strong in the welterweight and middleweight divisions, Manyuchi has probably announced to the world that he deserves better opposition and recognition.

“He did not have to sweat for his money. It was clear from the beginning that the fight would not last. The Colombian boxer retired at the start of the third round complaining of heaches,” said Mukondiwa from Zambia who was one of the judges for the evening’s bill which featured two other Zimbabwean boxers.

Monalisa Phiri fought against Zambian Lolita Muzeya and lost on a knockout decision with flyweight Anyway Katunga losing on points to Alfred Muwowo.

With local promoters failing to find sponsors for their events, boxers are having to rely on fights in Malawi, Namibia, South Africa and Zambia, which are however hard to come by.