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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter

THE World Boxing Council super-bantamweight interim champion Kudakwashe Chiwandire says she is not putting her foot off the pedal despite the postponement of her title defence bout against Mexican Zulina Munoz. 

The fight was originally pencilled for August 27 before it was moved to October 1 at the Harare International Conference Centre. 

And the 26-year-old says the rescheduling could as well be a blessing in disguise as she would get some ample time to prepare for the showdown. 

Chiwandire is currently camped in Johannesburg, South Africa, where she had gone for the final leg of her preparations before it was announced the bout had been moved. 

While the pugilist is a bit disappointed, she has reiterated she will have to put in even more work as she braces for the historic bout. 

Instead of scaling down the workouts, Chiwandire said it is now time to perfect her act. 

“I am happy that we will get another month to prepare for the fight. Of course, I was looking at the August 27 date but the fight was then moved. I have to work with what’s on the ground. There is always that temptation to want to rest but we are not going to do that,” said Chiwandire. 

“We are ready for the fight and we should be more than ready, come October 1. 

“We are not going to change our schedule in South Africa. I am enjoying sparring with some top South African boxers. I am learning some new things while enhancing my strengths. 

“I am not going to be any slower just because the fight has been postponed by a month. I should utilise that time to polish those areas I feel I still lag behind. My rival is a tough fighter given her experience in the ring. 

“But look, we are going to put in the work and try to get back our belt as we look ahead to attempt to win the gold belt.” 

Chiwandire spent Saturday afternoon relaxing at the Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria watching one of South Africa’s biggest matches pitting Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs. 

The boxer supports The Brazilians who went on to win the game 4-0 but her heart was split given that compatriot Khama Billiat, who missed a penalty in that match, plays for Amakhosi. 

Chiwandire and her manager/coach Clyde Musonda had their VVIP tickets paid for by funeral services company Zororo Phumulani which is powered by Doves Zimbabwe. 

This company is complimenting Chiwandire’s anchor sponsors, KGK Logistics, in seeing to it that both the boxer and her manager have everything they require in place, including shuttling services. 

“I would like to thank Zororo Phumulani. They are treating us with royalty and we are loving every minute of it. They have become a key partner for us. Look, they are the ones who also made sure we flew to Zambia for my fight against Catherine Phiri when we were about to leave by road.” 

Chiwandire will be back in the country at the weekend but she will not break camp. 

She is also pencilled to have the final two weeks of her preparation in South Africa before she engages in the biggest bout ever to take place in this country.