The Sunday Mail
Langton Nyakwenda
THERE have been times when veteran boxing promoter Stalin Mau Mau has thought about quitting this trade; moments when he has questions whether this is really worth it.
To Mau Mau, local boxing promotion is not a business, it is actually a liability.
Local boxing promoters were thrust into the spotlight after a member of the Zimbabwe National Boxing Control Board (ZNBCB) lambasted the “poor” purses being offered.
Boxers are earning an average of $150 per bout, an amount that has been described as a mockery considering the risky nature of this sport.
However, Mau Mau, a veteran match broker, believes that this criticism is misdirected and that no boxer can make money when fighting locally.
“Some of the people we deal with in boxing do not understand this trade. There’s no sponsorship in boxing, promoters actually fork out their personal money to make things happen.
“What we should be aiming to achieve for now is to improve our boxers’ records so that they attract bigger international fights which in turn can give them money,” Mau Mau told the Sunday Mail.
The Don King of Zimbabwean boxing has a 13-bout tournament on Saturday, inside the Nelson Mandela hall at Harare showgrounds.
Peter Pambeni takes on Mudi Kuminga of Malawi in an international non-title lightweight fight while Talent Nyagura will square up against Duduzile Kamukwamba in another international bout.
Lightweight pugilist Philip Musariri will box Patson Mutengwa over eight rounds in another potentially exciting bout.
“This is the opening tournament of the 2019 boxing calendar, the first of eight tournaments we will hold in 2019.
“We want to build on the momentum created last year and I want to appreciate Charles Manyuchi and his boxing academy for pushing the agenda.
“We scored some remarkable points in 2018, boxers should get into the ring and improve their record.
“If you don’t fight for those peanuts in Zimbabwe you can never be exposed,” said Mau Mau.
“It’s not proper when we have a board member going on a WhatsApp group to talk about poor remuneration when we all know the environment we are operating in.
“Sometimes I wonder if it’s really necessary to continue.”
Interestingly, four boxers Vincent Muziri, Wiseman Tshuma, Alfred Kashiri and Hassan Milanzi are set to turn pro on Saturday night.
“This is what we want to achieve, expose boxers and set them up for lucrative international bouts,” said Mau Mau.
Rising female pugilist Zvikomborero Danzwa is also set to defend her super bantam title against Netsai Banda.
