Gilbert Munetsi
Boxing champion Charles Manyuchi Thursday officially announced he will be spiking his boxing gloves, signaling an end to an eventful 14-year professional career of mixed fortunes, a good proportion of them positive.
On May 28, he partakes his " last supper" in a testimonial farewell contest against DRC' s Sheriff Kasongo.
Though the final one, this will be the 31st pro bout for the 33-year old "Busy Bee" during which era he has won 25 times (15 of them by way of knockout); lost four times and drawn once.
His decision to take an honourable exit at this juncture safeguards a legacy that has seen him conquer Africa and the world, bagging a total 13 titles since the time he debuted in 2009.
Previously, he has held the African Boxing Union, the WBC international (successfully defended three times) and the WBC silver.
Currently, Manyuchi is the World Boxing Federation middleweight champion, World Alliance Boxing Association supreme world champion, Universal Boxing Union inter-continental champion and World Professional Boxing Association global champion.
A product of the Zimbabwe National Youth Games (he won five gold medals), Manyuchi was discovered and taken in by Masvingo businessman Eddison Zvobgo Jnr in the late 2000s, and he has never looked back.
He was to challenge holder Mordecai Donga for the Zimbabwe national title in 2011, but the attempt was in vain. He, however, struck the right code a year later and as they say, the rest is history.
Donga's prophecy that whosoever beat him would become a world champion came to pass as Manyuchi became one.
Addressing members of the media at an event in Harare, manager of the event Monica Cheru said Manyuchi - whose last fight was in July 2021 at the Flambouyant Hotel in Masvingo when he fought and defeated Ugandan Mohammad Sebyala to claim the unified WBF and WABA titles - is finally calling it quits following a long journey that has taken him to the width and breath of the globe.
“He is one boxer who has fought opponents from different parts of the world and this includes fighters from Namibia, South Africa, Zambia, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Colombia, Italy, Russia, the DRC, Singapore, Argentina, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
“Manyuchi bids bye to the sport that has given him fame and a handsome fortune with a testimonial contest against Sheriff Kasongo of the DRC. This will be the second time the two lock horns, the first having been way back in July 2017 when our own boxer emerged victorious by Unanimous Decision.
“Zimbabwe has been grateful to Manyuchi for his flying its flag high, with Government having come on board to give him tokens of appreciation for his exploits in the ring. Twice he has been accorded the Sportsperson of the Year award through the Annual National Sports Awards.
“He is a model sportsperson who has invested well from his sweat as evidenced by the various business ventures he has embarked on. These include a venture in public transport, dog breeding, security services, chicken and goat rearing, farming, car sales and mining. He is also a proud owner of several properties in Harare and other towns and his investment portfolio is a case study for many persons from the same industry who may want to enjoy the sweat of their toil after having called it a day.
“Of-course there is also a soft side to the champion boxer who has devoted time and resources to various institutions for the underprivileged where he has embarked on social responsibility gestures at such places as Mutemwa Leprosy Centre and Mother of Peace Orphanage in Mutoko as well as Vana Child Care Ministries Orphanage in Chivhu. He has retuned home to Mudzi where he has also engaged with students at Chifamba School to share ideas and make a few donations,” she said.
And in a solidarity message sent from Cape Town, South Africa yesterday, president of the WBC, Howard Goldberg, may have come closest when, in an emotion-filled audio, he summed up the champion.
"Rarely do we find personalities who are real heroes or icons, champions who inspire not only the youth, but an entire country.
"Though a citizen of a small country called Zimbabwe, Manyuchi has made it famous because of his abilities, boxing skills, personality and because he is a champion both inside the ring and outside of it."
Founded in 1988, WBF has a presence in 45 countries and according to Howard, they will consider conferring ambassadorial and administrative roles to Manyuchi whom they voted Boxer of the Year for 2022.
In a sport in which "Kili", the "Man Mountain could just go as far as conquering Africa and the duo of Langton "Schoolboy" Tinago and Arifonso "Mosquito" Zvenyika excel at Commonwealth level, Manyuchi penned a piece of history by becoming the first world champion to come out of Zimbabwe.
And, at the pinnacle of his career when he held the World Boxing Council silver title, he was at one time rated among the world' best 15 welterweights, in a division in which Floyd Mayweather and Amir Khan were champion and Number One contender respectively.
Tears have been known to be shed when people part with loved ones, environments or situations.
But for one who has made hay while the sun shone, Manyuchi walks away from boxing a cushioned personality who has invested his earnings from sport wisely.
He has business interests in farming, dog breeding, chicken and goat rearing and mining.
As has always been the tradition over the years, sponsors are expected to come on board to support a brand they have associated with and one that has given them the much-desired mileage. Among these are Nyaradzo Holdings, Mr T35, Magestics Enterprises, Phil-Jen Country Lodges, Regency Group of Hotels, Tinmac the Ministry of Sports through its various arms.
Meanwhile, the bout card as announced by the event manager, Monica Cheru, is as follows:
Charles Manyuchi (Zim) vs Sherrif Kasongo (DRC)
Clever Sithole vs Thembani Mhlanga
Evans Usayihwevhu (Zim) vs Mombela Mkuni (Zam)
Tatenda Biningu vs Yamikani Mkandawire
Jeremiah Mhere (Zim) vs Syden Baloyi (Zim)
Colleen Zidumbu (Zim) vs Loyd Mujibilikwa (Zim)
John Andrew (Zim) vs Philip Musariri (Zim)
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