Ring rust costs Zim boxers matches in Zambia

Lawrence Zimbudzana

Bridget Mabanda

The recent performance by the three Zimbabwean boxers who travelled to Lusaka, Zambia, for non-title bouts shows signs of ring rust as they did not have enough ring time in 2022, according to Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chief executive officer, Lawrence Zimbudzana.

FreemanMabvongwe, Tinofadza Chikerema and Christopher Zhuwawu were the first batch of Zimbawean pugilists this year to take part in a tournament hosted by … at the New Government Complex

Only Chikerema, who fought in the lightweight division against Ignitious Utale managed to pull a draw while both Mabvongwe and Zhuwawu lost their respective matches.

Zhuwawu, who was fighting Albert Murelwa over four rounds lost by technical knock out in the super-welterweight division and Mabvongwe, who had a date with Simon Ngoma of Exodus Boxing Academy also in the super welterweight lost by a points decision.

Zimbudzana said the opportunity for all three to fight had been very much limited in 2022.

He, however, said the board strives as much as it can to encourage more stakeholders to come into boxing.

“We are going to invite Individuals, entities or corporates to support boxing in terms of promotions so that we have a number of opportunities for boxers to actually participate and showcase their talents,” he said.

He also indicated that there is need to improve technical competencies of their coaches because it has got a lot of bearing to the athletes’ performances.

“We need to increase investment in terms of improving the capacity of our technical officials and our coaches.

“We need to increase investment in the sector and equipment so that we have modern equipment in our gyms and fitness centres. Training using standard equipment will improve and contribute to the quality performance of an athlete,” he added.

The board is hoping that with support from different sectors it will increase reach in all ten provinces through decentralisation and creation of structures countrywide.

Zimbudzana said there is so much talent out there that is lacking exposure as there is a limited pool of athletes hence less medals and titles over the years.

He said there are same names from 2020 to 2023, but their vision is to develop young talents so that there is replacement of those who are going for retirement because of age.