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GOLDEN GLOVE . . . WBC welterweight international boxing champion Charles Manyuchi (centre) is flanked by Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa (left) and Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Walter Mzembi during a media briefing in Harare yesterday

Augustine Hwata Sports Reporter
NEWLY-CROWNED World Boxing Council welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi believes Zimbabwe has a lot of other potential world-class boxers who should be given the necessary support to fulfil their dreams. Manyuchi made the remarks yesterday when he presented his two titles to Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Andrew Langa and his Tourism and Hospitality Industry counterpart Walter Mzembi in Harare.
On Saturday, Manyuchi became the first Zimbabwean boxer to win a world boxing title.

Yesterday Manyuchi, who is also the African Boxing Union welterweight champion, presented his new world title belt to the Government.
Manyuchi beat Patrick Allotey of Ghana in the eighth round of their title-fight in Lusaka.

“I am happy to be given such a reception in honour of my achievement by the boxing board. But I feel that Zimbabwe should be producing more world champions if we get the resources.

“In Zimbabwe we have a lot of talent, look at where Kilimanjaro, Langton Tinago and Zvenyika Arifonso left (the sport). The current crop of boxers should aim to go even higher and we need exposure and support from the stakeholders.

“I firmly believe that we can do better than this,” said Manyuchi.
Manyuchi said he was convinced that he would beat Allotey after they had both beaten Patrice Sou Toke of Burkina Faso.

“Allotey fought a guy from Burkina Faso over 12 rounds and he won on points but I managed to beat the same guy by a knockout in the fifth round.

“So, that alone, gave me the conviction that I will be successful when I took on Allotey for the WBC title,” said Manyuchi.
Manyuchi said he still dreams of getting a chance to fight Floyd Mayweather.

“Mayweather could just be like Allotey, who was unbeaten and some people never gave me the chance but I made it.
“Even now my dream is to fight Mayweather and I can take him down for the belt,” said Manyuchi.

During the ceremony, Langa said his Ministry was pleased to note the positive strides that Manyuchi has made in the sport.
“The fact that we are here with Charles, is the beginning of everything. As a Ministry, we will assist him, where we can, and we can also talk to the corporate world.

“We would love that he operates from home but at present we will support him, whether he is in Zambia,” said Langa.
Langa also jokingly said Manyuchi had beaten a “brother-in-law” in the form of Allotey, “since Zimbabwe was once married to Ghana” in apparent reference to President Mugabe’s late wife Sally.

Manyuchi, who fights in Zambia under the Oriental Quarries Boxing Stable, also paid tribute to Masvingo mayor, Hebert Pfidze, who was by the ringside in Lusaka on Saturday.

Both Langa and Mzembi hinted that they will try to organise a platform for Manyuchi to present his belt to President Mugabe.
Mzembi said Manyuchi’s world title could help boost their drive for sports tourism. He said it would be a dream to have the “Manyuchi-Mayweather” fight in Victoria Falls.

Meanwhile, the Sports Commission have joined the bandwagon in congratulating Manyuchi for winning the world title.
Sports Commission director-general Charles Nhemachena, said he was happy to note that Manyuchi was a product to the SRC’s National Youth Games.

“The Sports Commission is delighted to note the role that the Zimbabwe National Youth Games played in Charles’ formative days of his boxing career.

“We are happy that he has achieved his dream of becoming a world champion.
“Now he has to remain focused, disciplined and we are proud of him putting Zimbabwe on the boxing map once again,” said Nhemachena.