JAYSON KARAN
The Zimbabwe Iconic boxer Charles Manyuchi is hanging up his gloves as one of the best pugilists to have graced the ring in Zimbabwe.
The 33 year old boxer has written one of the best boxing story in Zimbabwe men’s boxing history.
As he hangs his boxing gloves, Manyuchi is expected to perform his last ‘Grand Finale’ match in a non tittle Swansong bout against Sheriff Kasongo of the DR Congo on May 28 at a venue still to be determined.
Despite the non title match on May 28, the Zimbabwean boxer has held a lot of titles including the World Boxing Council silver welter weight stripe and the African Boxing Union belt in his boxing career.
He is the current holder of the World Boxing Federation middleweight title after successfully defending the crown against Uganda’s Muhammed Sebyala in Masvingo two years ago.
The Bulawayo-born, and Mutoko raised, boxer knows he wouldn’t have carved his own niche in the ring had the Government of Zimbabwe, through the sports ministry not pleaded with his then Zambian promoters Oriental Quarries to pardon him after he misbehaved and got his contract terminated.
Manyuchi spent close to a year in Zimbabwe without a promoter and without getting into the ring to fight anyone.
“I then approached the officials at the Ministry of Sport. I was honest with them as I told them what I had done for my contract to be terminated,” recalls Manyuchi.
After some protracted talks, I was pardoned and they let me rejoin their stable. Soon after rejoining, Oriental Quarries managed to organise a WBC silver match for me. After the ministry helped me to get my contract back, I did not disappoint as I emerged victorious and that’s how everything changed,” added Manyuchi.
Charles Manyuchi is back in the gym one more time since his last match in 2021, when he defeated Ugandan Mohammad Sebyala to claim the unified WBF and WBA titles.
His last fight against Sheriff Kasongo of the DRC won’t be the first time these two had to lock horns but will be the second time as Manyuchi will be looking to have another win against the DRC boxer while Kasongo will be looking to redeem himself.
During a press conference to officially announce his retirement plans, tournament manager Monica Cheru said Manyuchi, who has five medals at the All Africa Games to his name, thanked everyone who has been on Manyuchi’s side in his wonderful 15 years of professional boxing.
“This has been a great career for one of the best boxers in Zimbabwe history. It is sad to see him hang his boxing gloves and call it a career,” said Monica Cheru.
“He has won the African Boxing Union welterweight title; the World Boxing Council international title (which he successfully defended two times) and the “World Boxing Council silver title. He is the first world champion to come out of Zimbabwe and currently, he holds The World Boxing Federation middleweight title, the World Alliance Boxing Association world supreme title, the Universal Boxing Council inter-continental title and the World Professional Boxing Council title,”added Cheru.
Charles Manyuchi is going into retirement with a record of 30 fights ; 25 wins with15 TKO; four losses and 1 draw and is looking to have a great retirement party with a win against Sheriff Kasongo.