Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
FORMER Zimbabwe featherweight boxer Frank Mutero has died.
He was 30.
Mutero died on Sunday at Parirenyatwa Hospital after battling liver cancer.
The boxer’s father, Ephias Mutero, yesterday said his son will be buried this afternoon at Mtapa Cemetery in Gweru.
“It’s the way God has decided and there is nothing we can do. We first got to learn that Frank was not feeling well sometime in February,” said Ephias.
“He was based in South Africa and I went there to bring him back home on March 26 when his condition deteriorated.
“We were told that his liver had been affected by cancer. During his stay in South Africa he was taking medication but we could tell that it was doing little to help.
“I decided to bring him home, hoping that a change in environment and care could help him improve but we lost the battle.” Mutero was born in Gweru on April 28, 1984, and completed his secondary education at Mkoba High School.
During his school days he featured for the Midlands Youth Games team that was under the great Langton “Schoolboy” Tinago.
Mutero turned professional in 2006 and Zimbabwe Boxing Control Board secretary Gilbert Munetsi said their records show that his debut pro-fight was against Tawanda Majer.
“He turned professional in 2006 at Raylton Sports Club in a featherweight contest against Majer, which he won.
“His next fight was against Linos Murambwa at Max Village in Rusape,” said Munetsi. Mutero also fought against Chamu Nyamasoka and then went to South Africa where he engaged in a few fights before becoming a trainer at Armory Boxing Club in Cape Town.
“During his time in South Africa, he fought boxers like Nicholas Modideng and Lunda Khosana before he became a trainer and coach. He was at the same stable that had other Zimbabweans like Peter Pambeni, Thamsanqa Dube, Tapiwa Tembo and Felix Vengani.”
Mutero leaves behind a four-year old son.