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HOME SWEET HOME . . . Zimbabwe boxing superstar, Charles Manyuchi (centre), proudly displays his WBC welterweight silver belt flanked by his promoter, Chris Malunga and trainer Mike Zulu, at Harare International Airport yesterday

Ellina Mhlanga Sports Reporter—
ZIMBABWE’S boxing superstar, Charles Manyuchi, returned home to a hero’s welcome at the Harare International Airport yesterday with his manager, Chris Malunga, calling for more investment into the boxer for him to achieve his dreams of conquering the world. Manyuchi won the World Boxing Council welterweight silver belt on Friday when he became the first boxer to beat Russia’s Dmitry Mikhaylenko, regarded by some as the next big thing in welterweight boxing.

The belt which Manyuchi won was once held by British boxer Amir Khan who gambled with a middleweight showdown against Mexican superstar, Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, only to be knocked out in the sixth round in Las Vegas when he was caught by an explosive right.

Manyuchi has now forced himself into recognition, as one of the best welterweight boxers in the world, but he is still some miles away from cracking the big club that could see him challenge for the WBC welterweight championship of the world. That belt is currently held by American boxer Danny Garcia.

Manyuchi, though, has thrust himself into the frame for — if he can win a number of fights — a crack on the big one and that could mean a multi-million dollar purse for the Zimbabwean boxer. The 27-year-old boxer flew into Harare yesterday to find scores of ecstatic fans, charmed by his impressive victory in Russia, waiting to give him a hero’s return home.

The crowd was singing and dancing as they mobbed the champion who arrived in the company of his Zambian manager, Malunga and coach, Mike Zulu. Manyuchi attributed his success to team work with his promoters. “I feel honoured to be surrounded by many people. I think the journey was very tough, but I am happy that we managed to do it,” said Manyuchi.

“I would like to thank Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotion. We worked as a team and we won this title as a team. These guys are good to me, they handle me in a way that I feel at home in Zambia. Now I am appealing to the Honourable Minister (of Sport and Recreation, Makhosini Hlongwane), I think they deserve some motivation.”

Manyuchi thanked Hlongwane for mending his relationship with his Zambian promoters after a fallout last year. Speaking at a press conference at the Rainbow Towers yesterday in the presence of Hlongwane, Malunga said the level which Manyuchi has reached has more demands. Hlongwane organised a dinner for Manyuchi last night and the function was also graced by Minister of State for Harare Provincial Affairs Miriam Chikukwa.

Malunga paid tribute to the governments of Zambia and Zimbabwe for their support. “Now, where we are, it takes a lot of investment from Oriental Quarries. It takes a lot, he knows we don’t hide anything, it takes a lot of investment from Oriental Quarries for him to be where he is.

“It takes a lot of investment from our two governments. Because there is no promoter who is going to survive without the support of the government. “We are getting sponsorship from Zamtel, which is a parastatal from the government, so automatically the government is involved. I can fly into Zimbabwe, I am being accommodated by the Ministry and boxing board, it’s support coming from the government.

“And we have been standing because of the two governments,” said Malunga. Malunga said there was need to respect the relationship between the two countries and the five-year contract between the Zambian promoters and Manyuchi. “My appeal goes to all Zimbabweans that let’s respect the marriage which is between the two countries. The Head of State (President Mugabe) said we are twins.

“He (Manyuchi) is based in Zambia, the five years must be respected. He is a Zimbabwean, he is lifting the Zimbabwean flag. It’s me who packs even the flags, everything, the first thing I pack is a Zimbabwean flag.

“We are one and the same people and I am happy all those issues that were surrounding the boxer are gone now and we have to work extra hard. I am going to sleep only if Charles fight for the WBC gold, which is going to bring forex to this country and automatically it will also bring forex to Zambia.”

He said they would want the next fight to be held here in Zimbabwe when Manyuchi defends his titles in honour of President Mugabe, who honoured Manyuchi last year after defending his WBC international bronze title.

“The next thing here is the defence. The defence is a voluntary defence and I had promised the Head of State that we need to do a promotion here and we have to do it. “I am appealing to you Honourable Minister (Hlongwane) that we have to do a promotion for Charles Manyuchi. This is your own product, it’s your own flag.

“I think if we stay here for one month we can raise the money to put up a boxing promotion in honour of the Head of State. “We can do a boxing promotion here, we can raise US$150 000, it’s not always that it’s cash, some can come from hotels like this, the budget starts reducing, from the media. Media organisations can sponsor adverts and even ourselves we can bring the ring.

“If we are promoting boxing in Malawi why can we not promote where our champion comes from? I feel the next defence must be here and the patron to raise that money if I can be given permission it’s you Honourable Minister (Hlongwane) because you have the heart.

“There are lot of challengers now, even Amir Khan after he was knocked out, he is trying to get back to his belt. The silver has got more challengers, but he has got a voluntary defence which we can dictate who we fight before we go for a mandatory.

“But I feel voluntary defence must be here in Zimbabwe and we will work extra hard to make sure Charles fights here.”