By Trevor Makonyonga
Zimbabwean boxing champion, Charles Manyuchi, will on Saturday July 3 defend his WBF middleweight title and will be hoping to add the WABA and WPBF titles when he faces Uganda’s Mohammed Sebyala in Masvingo.
The jamboree which will see four titles being fought for has been named the Duel of the Doom and could be one of the biggest boxing events to be held in Zimbabwe.
Manyuchi’s opponent, Sebyala touched down at the Robert Mugabe International Airport this Sunday afternoon with his manager Abbey Mugayi.
Mugayi said, “Our preparation took a long time. We were prepared for last but Covid delayed us. We have been working hard for one year and half. We are in good shape and we are not coming here as tourists. We are coming here to take a belt so we appealing to the people of Zimbabwe to come watch the fantastic fight because we are going to give Mr. Manyuchi Charles a lesson.”
In other matches, exciting lightweight Evans Usaiwevhu will battle it out with Malawi’s Robert Kachiza for the vacant WABA Intercontinental championship while fellow explosive local boxer Hasan Milanzi will have a chance at the vacant WBF super bantam weight Africa Title against Malawi’s Yamikani Mkandawire.
Another interesting bout will see Tinashe Majoni fight for the WBF Flyweight Africa Title against Malawian Yusuf Ali.
In a letter to the Manyuchi Boxing Academy from the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) CEO, Lawrence Zimbudzana, the Duel of the Doom was cleared to be done virtually with no physical spectators.
“I write to advise that the Government of Zimbabwe has authorised the hosting of the Duel of the Doom Boxing Tournament which is scheduled for the 3 July 2021 at the Flamboyant Hotel in Masvingo. The main attraction, we understand, is a match between Charles Manyuchi and Mohammed Sebyala of Uganda. The clearance has, therefore, been issued subject to strict adherence to COVID-19 protocols and health guidelines. These measures include but are not limited to, all boxers are tested for COVID-19 before the match, all technical teams are tested for COVID-19 and the tournament be held virtually with no physical spectators at the venue. In addition, the existing COVID-19 and boxing regulations remain in force,” wrote Zimbudzana.
Manyuchi did not give a comment reserving it for the weigh in which will be held this coming week.
