WBC Vice-President Showers Praises For Zim Boxing,...

WBC Vice-President Showers Praises For Zim Boxing, Predicts a Tough Interim World Title Contest

Houichi (Centre) flanked by Munoz (L) and Chiwandire (R)

Gilbert Munetsi

WBC vice-president Houicine Houichi has predicted an exceptional contest tomorrow, involving a blend of experience and youth when Zimbabwe’s Kudakwashe Chiwandire takes on Zulina Munoz for the main draw card WBC interim super-bantamweight title at the HICC. The tournament begins at 6pm.

Dubbed “Fire in the Hole,” the tournament has seven supporting bouts, with some boxers coming from Zambia and Malawi to add a regional flare to this biggest event ever to be hosted by Zimbabwe. It is being supported by the Government through the Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Ministry and the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board.

“Take Money”, as Chiwandire is known in the boxing circles, is mandatorily defending the title she won in February when she accounted for Zambian opponent Catherine Phiri.

At 26, the Zimbabwean has age on her side while her opponent, with a record of 53 wins (30 of them by way of knockout), boasts of lots of ring experience including having retained the WBC world title in the super-flyweight division a record 10 times.

Boxing in Mexico is almost regarded as a religion as the country has also produced numerous world champions in various divisions.

At today’s event held at the HICC, both boxers were in weight, with “Take Money” weighing 54.4kg and Munoz 55.3kg.

Houichi, who is also the match supervisor for tomorrow’s match, said he expects a very good fight as he has had the opportunity to watch both fighters in action. He was in Lusaka, Zambia, when Chiwandire fought (Catherine) Phiri.

Whosoever emerges victorious in tomorrow’s tussle for the crown will face the winner between Yamileth Mercado and Mariana Juarez for the ultimate world title. The two Mexicans (Mercado and Juarez) take to the ring on Saturday in Chihuahua for the world title.

Houichi, who was in Zimbabwe in July for the ABU All Africa Officials Training and WBC Convention, had praises for the country for the successful hosting of the convergences, and predicted good tidings for the country in the area of boxing development.

Held in Victoria Falls between July 25 and 27, the two mega events had officials from 15 countries attending, and were officially opened by Vice President Constantine Chiwenga.

Houichi, who also doubles as the African Boxing Union (a subsidiary of the WBC) president, said his organisation had since introduced regional titles for the African continent and winners in the respective divisions will climb up the ladder to more elite platforms such as the WBC international and silver titles.

Per tradition, today’s weigh in was followed by a rules meeting with regulations being spelt out to the officials expected to officiate in the bout. The referee is from South Africa, while judges from Ghana and Kenya respectively will be joined by a third one from Zimbabwe.