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Ellina Mhlanga
Senior Sports Reporter
BOXING trainer, Clyde Musonda, says they are on the right track ahead of Saturday’s African Boxing Union fight between Tinashe Mwadziwana and Namibia’s Nathaniel Kakololo in Windhoek.

Mwadziwana is challenging Kakololo for the ABU featherweight title.

Musonda and Mwadziwana left for Namibia last week for the match.

Speaking from Namibia, Musonda said the boxer has been settling in well, and is making good progress.

“All is good and morale is high. We are not here on holiday, we just want to do what we have to do, grab the belt and raise our flag high.

“I am so happy that my boxer is now only left with 500grams.

“When we left Zimbabwe he was overweight by 1.5kgs. So far, so good, he is responding well, in terms of the workouts.

“But, I am just keeping him indoors so that he does not mix with many people.

“Personally, I am happy the boy is fit and I have no doubt he can be declared the new champion,” said Musonda.

Musonda, who is also Mwadziwana’s manager at Deltaforce Boxing Academy, said he is optimistic they will overcome the challenges they faced during the build-up for the fight.

They spent some time in Chivhu, preparing for the match, before they left for Namibia last Wednesday.

“The difference is that we used to train with more boxers and, also sparring with many boxers, which we could not do this time due to Covid-19.

“So, he was only having one sparring partner, and myself, as his only trainer.

“But, that will not be a disadvantage and it won’t stop us from doing our best. This is the opportunity we got, so we have got to grab it.

“Boxing is all about winning titles. That will put us to another level and, as a stable, we really need this belt.

“And, as a trainer, I need to help the boxers win titles and make their dreams come true. We are trying as a stable to groom boxers without sponsorship,” said Musonda.

He underscored the importance of winning the fight on Saturday as it will allow Mwadziwana to move to the next level and pointed out he will be automatically rated by the World Boxing Council.

ABU are an affiliate of the WBC.

“ABU is affiliated to WBC (World Boxing Council) and a win will automatically take you to WBC ratings and get a chance to fight for the WBC bronze.

“If you win that one you go to WBC silver and you get rated again . . . So we really need to be in that league,” Musonda said.

Mwadziwana, who is the national super bantamweight champion is returning to the ring after a long break.

His last fight was in 2019.