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Tadious Manyepo

Sports Reporter

ICONIC boxer Charles Manyuchi is scheduled to enter the ring for one last time when he faces Malawian Sherif Kasongo in a World Boxing Federation super-middleweight showdown on May 27.

The venue of the great swansong has not yet been confirmed but this last bout for arguably the greatest boxer to emerge from this country will be staged in Zimbabwe.

The fight has since been dubbed “The Grand Finale” as the Chivhu-based pugilist draws the curtain down to an illustrious boxing career pinned on humble beginnings.

To spice it up, two other title fights involving boxers from the Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy have been placed on the bill.

Tatenda Biningu will defend his featherweight WBF and WABA stripes against Malawian Yamikani Mukandiware while Evans Usavihwevhu faces-off against Salim Chazama, also of Malawi, for the WBF lightweight title currently held by the Zimbabwean.

It will be a big night for Manyuchi who is also scheduled to receive honorary replica belts from all the organisations whose titles he has won before including the World Boxing Council silver crown and Africa Boxing Union prize.

Manyuchi, who is currently attending a WBF Convention in Cape Town, South Africa, said he is ready to bring the curtain down on his event-filled boxing career.

“I am glad to be making this announcement but first things first. I have a very big fight ahead of me in which I am going to be defending my WBF belt on May 27 in Zimbabwe. “The Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy are promoting this bout and they are still considering the most ideal place to stage the fight given the significance it carries,” said Manyuchi.

“The fight has since been dubbed the Grand Finale as I will be exiting the boxing stage after the fight. But I cannot say much at the moment as I am occupied, busy with the modalities of the upcoming fight.

“I have to prepare well for this fight. I know the responsibility that I will be carrying on my shoulders. This is going to be my last fight and I should leave the stage with honour and dignity.

“That means I will spend most of my time in the coming weeks doing training. I need to spend more time in the gym preparing for the bout.

“I will discuss everything in detail when I have my last fight. I am very happy and I have been very lucky to have tested glory in the ring.

“This is a sport that changed me in terms of personality and everything and I should also honour the game.”

Manyuchi entered the stage in 2009 and scored remarkable achievements that include winning the ABU, WBC silver and WBF titles. He will be defending the WBF crown on May 27, almost two years after he successfully retained the same belt after overpowering Muhhamed Sebyala in Masvingo on July 3, 2021.

The multi-award winning pugilist’s pro record stands at an impressive 25-4-1.

Meanwhile, female boxer Monalisa Sibanda has expressed her disappointment after her scheduled ABU title fight against South African Mapule Ngubane was reduced to a non-title bout.

The showdown is slated for tomorrow in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

Sibanda was expected to leave for South Africa yesterday but only learnt about the changed status of the fight just before she left.

“This is very disappointing. I have been preparing for a title fight and all of a sudden, they announce that it is no longer going to be a title fight. I feel cheated to tell you the truth,” said Sibanda.

“But since I need time in the ring, I will have to go out there and compete, make my country proud and boost my record.”