Manyuchi Comes Out of Retirement for Rematch Again...

Manyuchi Comes Out of Retirement for Rematch Against Malawian Opponent

Gilbert Munetsi - Zim Now Writer

Former WBC Silver and reigning WBF world heavyweight champion Charles Manyuchi has officially confirmed his return to the boxing ring, ending a brief retirement announced last year. The seasoned pugilist is set to face Malawian Limbani Lano in a heavyweight bout scheduled for March 29 at the 7 Arts Theatre in Avondale, Harare.

The highly anticipated rematch follows their initial encounter at Phil-Jen Country Lodges in Chivhu in 2023, where Manyuchi secured victory via a fifth-round TKO in a scheduled 10-round bout. The upcoming event, titled Rise of the Champions 5, will also feature World Boxing Federation (WBF) Inter-Continental Super-Bantamweight champion Hassan Milanzi defending his title against Tanzanian challenger Abdul Kubira. Additionally, Zimbabwe’s Tinashe “Jones” Majoni will square off against Malawi’s Obbrey Masamba for the WBF Super-Flyweight title in the co-main event.

Despite a star-studded lineup, the spotlight remains on Manyuchi, who views this fight as a stepping stone to reclaiming prominence on the international stage. A victory, he believes, could secure him a high-profile bout at the Auleiman Al Darrat Complex in Benghazi, Libya, where he recently suffered a defeat at the hands of Libyan boxer Fathi Saad.

Last year, Manyuchi’s farewell tour included tournaments in Chivhu, Harare, and Zambia, with strong indications that the 35-year-old would hang up his gloves to focus on farming and mining. However, a combination of factors—persuasion from a boxing promoter and financial considerations for his academy—convinced him to make a comeback.

Manyuchi, who still holds the WBF World title, has ambitions to re-enter the World Boxing Council (WBC) rankings in a different weight division, aspiring to compete among the best, including Zimbabwe-born British heavyweight Derek Chisora. Currently ranked 123rd in the world out of 1,793 active boxers, he boasts a two-star rating and remains determined to climb the ranks.

His return follows a long tradition of legendary boxers who have come out of retirement to fight again. Zimbabwe’s own Langton “Schoolboy” Tinago, a two-time Commonwealth champion at lightweight and super-featherweight, did the same, as did international icons like Larry Holmes, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Erik Morales, and Eder Jofre.

Beyond the ring, Manyuchi has continued his philanthropic efforts. In the lead-up to the March 29 fight, he has been actively supporting various charitable causes as part of his academy’s social responsibility program, an initiative he began during his tenure with Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions in Zambia.

Last Friday, he donated a football kit to St. Anthony High School in Masvingo, an act warmly welcomed by school head Jorum Mawana, who noted its significant impact on sports development at the institution. The donation ceremony was attended by the school's priest-in-charge, Rev. Fr. Mahefu, and School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson Stanley Chikuvadze.

In another heartwarming gesture, Manyuchi recently paid exam fees for Vellah Misodzi, a Murehwa student who lost her hand and leg due to electrocution from live ZESA cables years ago. Despite financial hardships, Misodzi’s determination to pursue education was supported by the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ), allowing her to pass five subjects. However, she required additional funding to rewrite failed subjects, including English. Upon seeing her plea on social media, Manyuchi stepped in to provide assistance.

As he prepares to step back into the ring, Manyuchi is not only fighting for personal glory but also for the broader impact he continues to make both inside and outside of boxing. His return adds excitement to Zimbabwe’s boxing scene, and fans eagerly await his performance on March 29.