BY HENRY MHARA
BOXING superstar Charles Manyuchi said he would retire from the sport if he lost to Muhamad Sebyala in a World Africa Boxing Association (Waba) light championship bout next month.
The pugilist returns to the ring for the first time on July 3 since flooring Argentinian Diego Diaz Gallardo in Harare two years ago to land the World Boxing Federation middleweight title.
This fight was initially scheduled to take place in March last year before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
Manyuchi has been trying hard to work his way back to the top since losing his WBC silver welterweight championship title in March 2017 and beating Sebyala is part of the plan.
He knows that a defeat against the Ugandan would put a significant dent on his journey back to stardom.
The 32-year-old admits his next fight is a must-win.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant but this is the fight that I’m going to win. I can feel it,” said Manyuchi who has been preparing for the fight in Masvingo.
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“I have worked hard for this. If for some reason I lose the fight, then I think it would be a sign from above that I should retire from boxing. If he beats me, I will walk away from fighting. Put that on record,” he said.
Manyuchi, who is so determined to win the clash that he has roped in a Zambian trainer Greetings Kaonga, will start the fight as the firm favourite due to his impressive home form.
In the only four defeats of his largely imposing career, the former WBC welterweight silver champion has lost in Zimbabwe just once. That was way back in 2009.
Since then, he has been on a roll, winning all the fights in Zimbabwe and Zambia, a country he has adopted as his second home.
“My opponent is a very experienced boxer who I should not underrate but I’m very confident that I will beat him convincingly.”
The 24 wins (15 knockouts) that Manyuchi has recorded, have been achieved in fights around the world, including Italy, Russia, Burkina Faso and the normally volatile Namibia. Manyuchi has drawn just once.
In contrast, Seybala’s record outside Uganda is awful. His record stands at 19 wins, 13 defeats and one draw. What is striking is that all the 13 defeats were in fights outside Kampala.
Manyuchi versus Seybala’s lightweight championship fight will headline a clash between Evans Husavihwevhu and Bison Gwayani of Malawi who will be exchanging blows for the Waba All-Africa lightweight belt.
There will also be another title fight on the night when Tinashe Majoni clashes with Tanzanian Yusouf Ali for a WBF crown.
Bout card:
Charles Manyuchi v Muhamad Sebyala, Brendon Denes v Charles Misanjo (Malawi), Evans Husavihwevhu v Bison Gwayani (Malawi), Tinashe Majoni v Yusouf Ali (Tanzania), Hassan Milanzi v Ronald Tamanja, Tatenda Biningu v Bongani Makoora (national title fight), Kudakwashe Chiwandire v Zvikomborero Dadzwa, Violet Phiri (Zambia) v Cecelia Pitisi, Tinashe Madziwana v Gracious Simwalizi (Zambia), Philip Musariri v Lemi Simbeye (Zambia), Freeman Mabvongwe v Tinashe Zihove
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