“Take Money” Vows To Send Mexican “La Loba” To Hos...

“Take Money” Vows To Send Mexican “La Loba” To Hospital

Take Money puts final touches ahead of Mexicano bout -Newsday Zimbabwe — Kudakwashe Chiwandire

Gilbert Munetsi

A determined Kudakwashe Chiwandire has promised to have opponent Zulina Minoz admitted at a health institution after their fight scheduled for the evening of Friday, October 14.

The two will take part in a World Boxing Council (WBC) interim super-bantamweight championship, a first such to be hosted in the country. “Take Money” is defending the title after having won it in Lusaka, Zambia, where she fought former WBC champion Catherine Phiri and posted victory via a unanimous points decision.

Chiwandire told journalists in Harare Wednesday that she is going to repeat the same act she pulled on Phiri. The Zambian pugilist had to be ferried to hospital where she recovered after three days from fight night.

“Take Money” and Munoz were late morning today engaged in a face off at the Harare International Conference, an event intended to promote the fight. The Mexican was in the company of her coach, Mauro Ayaza, and trainer Joavin Ayaia while Chiwandire’s trainer, Clyde Musonda, sat on his boxer’s right side at the top table.

Tomorrow they will weigh in and Friday is D-day.

“I have watched her fights on YouTube and it appears the person I saw there is different from the one I have now encountered in flesh.

“I presumed to come face to face with a more gigantic and menacing opponent, but with what I see in her, it is done. There is no way the belt will leave this country, it is here to stay and I assure all my fans that I will do my best to fulfill their expectations.

“Yes, there have been obstacles leading to postponements in the past, but that is not going to deter me from achieving my goal. I’m psychologically prepared. After all, this is not a new experience for me. Remember even when I fought Phiri, dates were changed and we all understood that the organisers were doing it for a purpose… to ensure every inch of ground has been covered.”

Zulina Munoz

Munoz, speaking through her coach said she was determined to add Chiwandire’s belt to several others in her cabinet. Nick-named “La Loba” (which is Latin for She-Wolf), she has previously won WBC titles in two different divisions: the super-flyweight and bantamweight.

The 35-year old former champion whose stance is orthodox brags of an impressive W53; KO30-L4-D2 record. She is, however, still smarting from a World Boxing Organisation (WBO) world title defeat which she suffered at the hands of Danish Dina Thorslund (18-0-0) in November last year.

Meanwhile, former two-time Commonwealth champion Arifonso “Mosquito” Zvenyika says he is grateful for having been given the green light to have a last dance with the sport that, in the yesteryear, earned him fame and fortune.

The former champion has been added onto the bout card for an exhibition bout with Spencer Matsangura. The two once fought under the same stable – Mau Mau Boxing - with Matsangura at one time also coming close to bagging the Commonwealth. Their Friday night match is over three rounds.

“I am indebted to the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Board for the opportunity they have given me to return to the ring though in a not-so-serious fight.

“It has always been my wish to bid bye to the sport at a grand stage in a testimonial match which I, however, have been finding difficult to organize owing to financial challenges.

“So when I fight Matsangura, I will have the opportunity to weigh myself to see how ready I am to go for the last one. And there could not have been a better platform to do this than on the undercard of someone I consider a daughter,” said Mosquito.

Zvenyika was banned from the sport of boxing after he had skipped the country’s borders (without board clearance or a passport) to fight Mbwana Matumla of Tanzania. The fight ended in near-tragedy as the not-so-fit “Mosquito” was brought to the canvass in the very first round and needed resuscitation from the medical team on standby.

He has since gone into coaching through an academy that was based at Stodart Hall.