Sports / Other
Zimbabwean boxer claims the WBC title
17 Mar 2014 at 06:42hrs | Views
History was made in the city of Lusaka on Saturday night when Zimbabwean boxer Charles Manyuchi claimed the World Boxing Council welterweight international title after knocking out Ghana's Patrick Allotey in the eighth round.
The 12-round bout did not last the distance as Manyuchi rained punches, jabs and hooks on the out of sorts Ghanaian who was saved now and then by his ducking skills.
Such was the punishment that Allotey was still gasping for air when the count of eight was done leaving Manyuchi to be duly declared the winner.
Manyuchi chose to show his brilliance on the canvas taking advantage of a tournament that was also held in honour of three late great icons, Zambia's boxer Lottie Mwale, WBC president Jose Sulaiman and former South African president Nelson Mandela.
In winning, Manyuchi somewhat atoned for the defeat that his fellow Zimbabweans - Monalisa Sibanda, Takudzwa Kuchocha and Chamunorwa Gonorenda - had earlier suffered in supporting bouts on the night.
Sibanda lost (W-4, D-0, L-4 ) lost to Zambia's Lolitha Muzeya through a unanimous decision after six rounds in a non-title welterweight bout while Gonorenda was humiliated by another Zambian Donald Kampamba with the Zimbabwean throwing in the towel in the fourth round after complaining of an injured wrist.
There was no respite either for Kuchocha who slipped in the ring and his opponent - Democratic Republic of Congo born Zambian Mbiya Nkanku - who was adjudged to have knocked him out of their welterweight fight in the first round.
The spotlight was however, on Manyuchi in the main bout and the Masvingo pugilist ensured he carried the Zimbabwean flag high when pounding his opponent to submission and winning the hearts of the Zambian crowd in the 3 000 seater Government Complex.
Using the strategy outlined by his coach Mike Zulu, Manyuchi got into the first round firing jabs to shock and disturb Allotey.
Allotey however, refused to fall into the trap often ducking away from intended punches sent by the African Boxing Union champion.
In the second round Manyuchi's failure to precisely land his uppercuts on the Ghanaian cost him an early opportunity to send the West African tumbling out.
But to his credit his dummies in the midst of the fight also worked in his favour as they left Allotey confused.
He even had the tenacity to entertain the boxing enthusiasts with his comic facial expressions while aiming at the Ghanaian who resorted to hugging his opponent when the pain of the blows began to take their toll.
In round 5 Manyuchi was clearly in the driving seat with all the three judges giving him scores of 40 each as Allotey garnered 36, 35 and 33 points.
The sentiments were that if the Oriental Quarries boxing promotions fighter had been much serious he could have knocked down Allotey inside six rounds.
However, the victory was still sweet when it came in the eighth round when Allotey succumbed to the punches thrown from all angles as he tried to lean on Manyuchi who ducked leaving the Ghanaian on the canvas.
Then the referee made her eight counts and with no further attempt to return to the ring by Allotey, the Zimbabwean was declared the winner.
With the pride of a world title belt on his waist, Manyuchi said the period of sacrifice had paid off?
"I am feeling very happy because the managers put everything for me. So I had to sacrifice to win because everything was done. The guy (Allotey) is a good boxer but I managed to win the belt. Because I am a boxer every time I have to be confident. If my coaches, my manager and the promoter are confident then I have to be more confident because I am the one fighting," said Manyuchi.
His coach, Zulu said they had prepared well for the fight.
"People say a lot of things and they would have loved it if we had gone on to lose. But to me everything being said we worked hard we underwent four months plus weeks to reach this stage. And this was our dream we wanted, we aimed for this that one day we shall carry the day and become the WBC champions. And we are the double champions today. We have put Zambia and Zambia on the World map," Zulu said.
The 12-round bout did not last the distance as Manyuchi rained punches, jabs and hooks on the out of sorts Ghanaian who was saved now and then by his ducking skills.
Such was the punishment that Allotey was still gasping for air when the count of eight was done leaving Manyuchi to be duly declared the winner.
Manyuchi chose to show his brilliance on the canvas taking advantage of a tournament that was also held in honour of three late great icons, Zambia's boxer Lottie Mwale, WBC president Jose Sulaiman and former South African president Nelson Mandela.
In winning, Manyuchi somewhat atoned for the defeat that his fellow Zimbabweans - Monalisa Sibanda, Takudzwa Kuchocha and Chamunorwa Gonorenda - had earlier suffered in supporting bouts on the night.
Sibanda lost (W-4, D-0, L-4 ) lost to Zambia's Lolitha Muzeya through a unanimous decision after six rounds in a non-title welterweight bout while Gonorenda was humiliated by another Zambian Donald Kampamba with the Zimbabwean throwing in the towel in the fourth round after complaining of an injured wrist.
There was no respite either for Kuchocha who slipped in the ring and his opponent - Democratic Republic of Congo born Zambian Mbiya Nkanku - who was adjudged to have knocked him out of their welterweight fight in the first round.
The spotlight was however, on Manyuchi in the main bout and the Masvingo pugilist ensured he carried the Zimbabwean flag high when pounding his opponent to submission and winning the hearts of the Zambian crowd in the 3 000 seater Government Complex.
Using the strategy outlined by his coach Mike Zulu, Manyuchi got into the first round firing jabs to shock and disturb Allotey.
Allotey however, refused to fall into the trap often ducking away from intended punches sent by the African Boxing Union champion.
In the second round Manyuchi's failure to precisely land his uppercuts on the Ghanaian cost him an early opportunity to send the West African tumbling out.
But to his credit his dummies in the midst of the fight also worked in his favour as they left Allotey confused.
He even had the tenacity to entertain the boxing enthusiasts with his comic facial expressions while aiming at the Ghanaian who resorted to hugging his opponent when the pain of the blows began to take their toll.
In round 5 Manyuchi was clearly in the driving seat with all the three judges giving him scores of 40 each as Allotey garnered 36, 35 and 33 points.
The sentiments were that if the Oriental Quarries boxing promotions fighter had been much serious he could have knocked down Allotey inside six rounds.
However, the victory was still sweet when it came in the eighth round when Allotey succumbed to the punches thrown from all angles as he tried to lean on Manyuchi who ducked leaving the Ghanaian on the canvas.
Then the referee made her eight counts and with no further attempt to return to the ring by Allotey, the Zimbabwean was declared the winner.
With the pride of a world title belt on his waist, Manyuchi said the period of sacrifice had paid off?
"I am feeling very happy because the managers put everything for me. So I had to sacrifice to win because everything was done. The guy (Allotey) is a good boxer but I managed to win the belt. Because I am a boxer every time I have to be confident. If my coaches, my manager and the promoter are confident then I have to be more confident because I am the one fighting," said Manyuchi.
His coach, Zulu said they had prepared well for the fight.
"People say a lot of things and they would have loved it if we had gone on to lose. But to me everything being said we worked hard we underwent four months plus weeks to reach this stage. And this was our dream we wanted, we aimed for this that one day we shall carry the day and become the WBC champions. And we are the double champions today. We have put Zambia and Zambia on the World map," Zulu said.
Source - chronicle
