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WE ARE IN THIS TOGETHER . . . World Boxing Council Welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi (left) shares a lighter moment with the Principal Director in the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture Bernard Dube during a send-off ceremony held for him yesterday at the ministry’s offices in Harare yesterday

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter
WORLD Boxing Council welterweight international champion, Charles Manyuchi is set to defend his title next month when he takes on Russia’s David Avanesyan in Lusaka, Zambia.

The fight is scheduled for March 28 and Manyuchi is expected to head for Zambia next week Tuesday for a training camp ahead of the match.

Speaking on the sidelines of a send-off ceremony held by the Ministry of Sports, Arts and Culture at their offices in Harare, Manyuchi ranked 28 expressed confidence of a victory against Avanesyan who has a higher ranking at seven

“I am ready for the fight and I am ready for my opponent. I was preparing here in Zimbabwe and I will do the final preparations in Zambia. I am going to win, David Avanesyan is a good fighter, I don’t underrate any boxer, every fight is a new game but I am going to win, and that’s my word.

“I think before every fight I fought I was even fighting those guys who have got better rankings and I think this one is better than those guys but I always win because the Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want,” said Manyuchi.

Manyuchi, who stages his matches in Zambia, said lack of sponsorship locally has forced him to fight in the neighbouring country.

“We don’t have sponsorship here in Zimbabwe even the manager from Zambia asked me why Zimbabweans are not involved now that we have made you a champion.

“I am a champion and they are supposed to just come in to say guys we want to host the fight here in Zimbabwe. “They (Zambians) want to host the fight here because that side they have got too much pressure, they are hosting two to three fights a year. So if Zimbabwe wants to host they are free but because of sponsorship it’s difficult.

“Even today if you say I can fight here I can refuse because there is no support here, I go to Zambia where there is bread and butter,” said Manyuchi.

However, the reigning Sports-person of the Year said he appreciates the sponsorship he has received so far as he prepares for the upcoming fight.

In a speech read on his behalf by the Principal Director in the Ministry Bernard Dube, Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Andrew Langa said they are in the process of mobilising resources to assist the boxer.

“The “invincible” Manyuchi as young as he is has continued to raise our flag high on the regional and international arena. He has done an amazing job at promoting our country internationally. “As a Ministry, we have made provision for Charles Manyuchi’s accommodation for two nights here in Harare and we are providing him with 100 litres of fuel. We are also in the process of mobilising funds for his upkeep in Zambia,” said Langa.

Manyuchi has also engaged Emperic Marketing as his official marketing agent in an effort to find sponsorship for his endeavours

Emperic Marketing managing director, Fadzai Homera said they will be hosting a send off banquet on March 25.