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Promoting boxing in Zim

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By Sheldon Hakata

DURING the colonial era, education was considered the answer to almost all life’s problems, especially by the black majority who literally had no opportunities elsewhere.

Black people, having limited opportunities in business and sports, ended up at the bottom of the social matrix, especially without education.

However, one sport that brought black people some form of earning was boxing.

Even in Rhodesia, with all its brutality and difficulties, a combination of courage and fast hands could earn a person fame and wealth in boxing.

Boxing enthusiast and promoter Stalin Mau Mau

Boxing enthusiast and promoter Stalin Mau Mau said boxing is a rewarding sport with vast potential to transform lives if fully supported.

“Boxers are born, strange as it may sound, the world over. The most common pastime in the pasturelands was fist fighting and there were no prizes to be won. Nowadays the purse is excellent. Skill, dedication and sheer determination are key elements in boxing,” said physical trainer and boxing promoter Mau Mau.

Former light heavyweight boxer Elias King Fisher, Mau Mau’s uncle, inspired him to become a boxer.

Mau Mau became an amateur boxer before he skipped the country to join the liberation war in 1974.

“The nation should look at boxing as any other sport since it is the most paying individual sport the world over — if you get a break, you make the money. A boxer can get at least half of the country’s budget in one fight. One example is Floyd Mayweather who earned US$9 million in less than an hour recently against Japanese Tensin Nasukawa,’’ said Mau Mau

According to the affable promoter, hands and heart are about the most important implements when it comes to boxing.

And these implements, with adequate support, can produce phenomenal results, he said.

Inspiration in boxing comes from various sources that include the family, trainer, promoter and manager.

A visit by The Patriot Sports to Muscle Factory Gym, owned by Mau Mau, was an eye opener with regards to the art and industry of boxing. 

‘’I now play a complimentary role giving the support I can to all those interested in becoming pugilists of note. Talent has to be nurtured locally for it to flourish internationally. I am especially keen on helping youngsters as you know teaching an old dog new tricks is difficult. Techniques are better learned and grasped at a young age,” said the affable Mau Mau.

The promoter runs the Mau Mau Boxing Academy which has 14 professional boxers ranging from 17 to 38 age-wise, on full time basis, in different weight divisions.

 Budding female boxers, (Bantamweight) Zvikomborero Danzwa (right) and (Flyweight) Talent Nyagura go through their paces under the watchful eye of Farai Kachigwada in the gym.

Budding boxers, both male and female, undergo rigorous workout schedules under the watchful eye of former boxer Farai Kachigwada.

The daily training sessions, which begin at 4am till 8am and then 3pm to 6pm, have produced the current national heavyweight champion. Vincent Muziri and several national champions in other weight divisions.

Mau Mau cites discipline and focus as critical to developing a formidable boxer.

“A boxer should not only be naturally talented as well as possess great skill, but disciplined in and outside the ring,” said Mau Mau.

“Look at Langton Tinago, Muhammed Ali and a few others who had the global world giving them overwhelming support even after retiring, and still commanded respect from many, even in death,” he said.

Notable boxers who have benefitted from the tutelage of Mau Mau include Alfonso Zvenyika, Ambrose Mlilo, John Kanjere, Kachigwada and Trust Ndlovu. 

All these boxers participated in the Commonwealth Boxing fights under the Mau Mau Stable.

Fighting in the Commonwealth Games gave boxers some financial rewards.

The promoter reckons the country, through the corporate world and Government, must provide funding that will once again make boxing a rewarding career.

“Now, boxers cannot fight regularly on the international front and can only fight zonal fights, most of which are strictly by invite,” he said.

However, efforts are being made to revive the sport, with the year 2019 dubbed ‘Year of Champions’ in the boxing fratenity.

Several fights have been lined up at the Raylton Sports Club and boxers from the Mau Mau stable are expected to dominate.

In the past, people paid to watch boxing but in a bid to fully resuscitate the sport and win over followers, stakeholders have agreed that admission to some of the fights will be free this year.

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