ZIMBABWE’S top boxer Charles Manyuchi goes into the ring tomorrow (Saturday) in a World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight silver title-defence fight against Uzbekistani Qudratillo Abduqaxorov at OCBC Arena in Singapore.
Manyuchi will defend his WBC title he won last year after beating Russian Dmytri Mikhaylenko in his own backyard.
This is the first time Manyuchi defends a silver title in the welterweight category.
For the Zimbabwean pugilist, the fight opens more doors for international recognition in the sport.
The next title will be in the gold category if he manages to defend the silver title.
Abduqaxorov has an impeccable record of 10 victories out of 10 fights.
Judging from the record both boxers have, the title fight promises to be a thriller.
The Chivhu-based boxer, Manyuchi, promised Singaporean boxing lovers at a press conference that they would witness ‘real boxing’ tomorrow at the OCBC Arena.
“I’m a champion and I’m not here to play, but to fight,” said Manyuchi. “Singaporean boxing fans should come in numbers and witness real boxing.
“I’m the real champion, not the Tanzanian boxer he (Abduqaxorov) beat the last time.
“Those are rotten boxers.
“Nothing will remain in Singapore; I am going back with the belt as a champion (sic).”
A confident Manyuchi said he has seen it all in the sport and knows what to do while taunting Abduqaxorov that he is a ‘young guy in boxing’.
“I have fought many boxers around the world,” Manyuchi said.
“I have met skillful boxers and I know how to go about it.
“I work with a team and we have been preparing for this fight.
“He (Abduqaxorov) is actually my young guy.”
Manyuchi’s last fight was a non-title with Jose Agustin Julio Feria of Columbia last October which he won with a knock out.
The eight-round match only lasted 1:42 minutes.
Since then, the Zimbabwean boxer has not been engaged in any serious fight.
His opponent this time around, Abduqaxorov, was in the ring last month in Singapore where he beat Tanzanian boxer Idd Pialari.
Manyuchi’s success in the ring rekindles Zimbabwe’s boxing success story that was written by his predecessors Proud Chinembiri, Langton Tinago and Gilbert Josam, among others.