The ManicaPost
Ray Bande Senior Reporter
ZIMBABWE’S top boxer Charles Manyuchi’s sponsor Tino Machakaire believes the boxing star could enhance his status on the international boxing arena when he steps into the ring for a crucial bout tomorrow (Saturday) up against Diego Diaz Gallardo of Argentina.
In tomorrow’s bout at the Harare International Conference Centre, the popular Zimbabwean pugilist will be eyeing better fortunes in the World Boxing Federation world middleweight.
“We all know what Manyuchi is capable of doing in the ring and that is the reason we all have to support him. I have no doubt that he will win and possibly enhance his status on the international boxing arena,” said Machakaire, who is the Wedza South legislator as well as prominent businessman in Mutare.
Manyuchi, who has 24 wins under his belt, 14 of them being knockouts, four defeats and just a single draw has been battling to revive his career which suffered a major blow following his technical knock-out (TKO) loss to Uzbek fighter Quadratillo Adbuqaxorov in March 2017 in Singapore.
But a solid showing against Acosta in Harare, whom he pummelled into submission, spelt an ideal come-back for one of the most celebrated boxers in Southern Africa and he would be hoping to continue his gradual comeback by capturing the WBF World Middleweight title. Manyuchi was treated to a royal bash, before walking out of State House US$50 000 richer, thanks to former President Robert Mugabe, no wonder he dedicated tomorrow’s fight to the late former Head of State.
The State House bash was organised after Manyuchi had knocked out Gianluca Frezza of Italy to retain the World Boxing Council International welterweight title in Sequals on July 17, 2015.
“Everyone knows how the late former President Mugabe appreciated my boxing talent. At one time, I was invited to the State House and got a whopping US$50 000, that was a lot of money. So, as I prepare to take on Gallardo, I am motivated by the need to do it (win) in remembrance of the late former President Mugabe.
“The good thing is that President Emmerson Mnangagwa is also very supportive of my boxing career, he has often given me words of encouragement and my wish is that, if time permits, may the President be present at Harare International Conference to witness the demolition of Gallardo.
“I was down yes, but I am certainly not out. Manyuchi is rising again and I am doing this for the pride of my beloved nation,” Manyuchi told our sister paper, The Sunday Mail recently.
This will be Manyuchi’s 29th professional bout since making his debut with a victory over Isaac Phonkeni at Raylton Sports Club on February 14, 2009. Manyuchi now has a 23-4-1 record after defeating Ezequiel Acosta of Argentina in a Global Boxing Union title fight held at the HICC on May 25.
Manyuchi is now ranked 40th on the world middleweight rankings.
The 39-year-old Gallardo, who is ranked 89th on the world middleweight rankings, also has 29 professional bouts and has won 22 (13 by Kos), lost six and drawn once.
He lost his last fight to countryman Billi Facundo Gody, who is ranked 85th in the world. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez of Mexico, who holds the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Association and International Boxing Federation middleweight titles, remains the top ranked pugilist in this division.
The highest ranked African boxer in the middleweight division is Walter Kautondokwa of Namibia, who is ranked 25th and is the reigning World Boxing Organisation Africa middleweight champion.
