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Tadious Manyepo-Sports Reporter

KUDAKWASHE “Take Money” Chiwandire’s title defence fight could be postponed once again.

The Zimbabwean is scheduled for a high-profile showdown against Mexican Zulina Munoz as she defends her World Boxing Council super-bantamweight interim title at the Harare Conference Centre this coming Saturday.

But, there seems to be some logistical problems on the promoter of the fight, Deltaforce Promotions.

With just five days before the much-awaited duel, Deltaforce are yet to put together the resources needed to bring Munoz and all other essential staff, including judges into the country.

Munoz had initially been scheduled to arrive in the country today but by yesterday Deltaforce Promotions had not yet dispatched the air tickets to her and her backroom staff, including her trainer.

Deltaforce Promotions director, Clyde Musonda, who also acts as Chiwandire’s coach, said his organisation wasn’t in a position to finance the tournament, including bringing the essential staff, including Munoz and the match officials into the country.

Instead, Musonda said he was hoping the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, as they had promised, would chip in. 

“Before the WBC offered this country to host the fight between Chiwandire and Munoz, they clearly mentioned that we were supposed to be in a position to cater for several things, including the logistics involved in bringing certain staff, including the Mexican boxer here,” said Musonda.

“So I told the ZNBWCB, who indicated they would be in a position to seek support, and we accepted the offer to host the fight.

“I hope we will get the support on time because there is very little time between now and Saturday.

“I have written countless letters to the board and I have been getting oral (positive) feedback.

“As things stand, I am not really sure whether we could be in a position to fly the key staff on time for the Saturday bout.”

The ZNBWCB chief executive, Lawrence Zimbudzana, who is on record saying all the support for Chiwandire was available two months ago, has been ignoring calls for the past fortnight.

Chairperson of the boxing board, Vee Chibanda, who was appointed in late July, said Deltaforce Promotions are responsible for bringing in the key staff for the fight.

“I am sure you are aware of the fact that it is the promoters of the fight who are responsible for bringing in the visiting boxer or boxers. 

“In this case, Deltaforce Promotions are responsible,” she said.

“I think you are asking those questions to the wrong people. 

“You are supposed to be asking Deltaforce Promotions all those questions. We are a board that oversees the operations of the sport in this country and I am sure you are very much in the light regarding who is supposed to do what. 

“So we cannot answer any questions on behalf of the promoters.

“I have been reading in the newspapers that they (Deltaforce Promotions) have several sponsors on board as well…”

And it’s looking increasingly likely that the fight could be postponed once again.

The showdown, whose undercard also has two potentially thrilling title bouts, was initially supposed to take place on August 27.

However, owing to logistical issues, the fight was moved by more than a month.

Zimbabwe will be hosting a WBC female fight for the first time ever.

But the opportunity could be lost as things stand.

WBC clearly stated when Deltaforce Promotions were granted the permission to postpone the bill from August 27, that the promoters should put their act together and avoid seeking another postponement.