The Sunday News
WHILE local boxing is on cloud nine following World Boxing Council welterweight bronze holder Charles Manyuchi’s successful title defence against Italian Gianluca Frezza last Saturday, veteran local trainer Philip Ndlovu feels more is needed to revive the sport’s glory days.
Striker, as Ndlovu is affectionately known, said Manyuchi’s win had undoubtedly brought the spotlight to the beleaguered sport, but without corporate backing other pugilists were unlikely to break new ground.
“We are all happy with the win and the spotlight that it has brought on boxing but I think for other boxers to excel we need people to come forward and start supporting the sport. We have many talented boxers but the talent ends in the gym because we are not funding our boxers to go out there and express their talent,’’ said Ndlovu, adding that in the few instances the boxers had been given the opportunity they had gone on to excel.
The boxing coach known for his exploits with Thamsanqa Dube when the Bulawayo-based heavyweight boxer lifted the WBA Pan-Africa heavyweight crown after beating South African Jake Els in 2009, also questioned the continued dedication of resources to popular sports that did not bring glory to the country.
He said while football is the most popular sport it has failed to bring rewards to the country but local boxers have on several occasions conquered internationally, putting Zimbabwe’s name on the boxing map.
“We have never really achieved much success with our football but the likes of Langton ‘Schoolboy’ Tinago, Alfonse ‘Mosquito’ Zvenyika and Thamu have been champions of Africa and Commonwealth but we have not really given them that support to go further.
“I think it is time we changed our funding model and support those sports in which we are most likely to bring positive results to the country,” he said.
Manyuchi claimed the WBC welterweight international title after knocking out Ghana’s Patrick Allotey in the eighth round in March last year and went on to defend it against Colombian Devis Casseres whom he beat through a second round technical knockout.
The boxers’ handlers, Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions of Zambia are now pushing for the Zimbabwean to take on WBC welterweight silver champion, Amir Khan of Britain.
Ndlovu said it was telling that a Zambian promoter had to see Manyuchi as a worthy investment.
“I think it was good that when President Mugabe met Manyuchi he mentioned the Zambians, they have played a big role in his career while we are watching on the sidelines.
“Now it will be difficult for companies to ride on the boxer’s success because at the level he is we are talking about big monies even seven figures and with our dire economy I doubt corporates would be willing or able to fork out those sums. I am certain he will now start attracting international interest,” he said.
Ndlovu added that it was sad that talent like Dube’s had just been left to go to waste when he had so much potential.
Meanwhile, the boxing fraternity is in mourning following the death of former super middleweight champion, Sipho Moyo (57).
Ndlovu said he received the death of Moyo’s passing away on Friday evening.
“I do not have the finer details of events leading to his death but he passed away on Friday evening in South Africa where he was now working. I’m also not aware where the mourners are gathered at the moment but we have lost a hero in the boxing fraternity who gave himself to the sport and was dedicated to serving boxing.
“I started training him in 1982 when he was an amateur and he turned professional in 1992 up until 2005 when he retired from the sport. He once held the national titles for the super middleweight and light heavyweight division. He also once travelled to London for a Commonwealth bout but he was knocked out in the first round,” said Ndlovu.
