Breland Tinago — son of legendary three-time Commonwealth champion Langton “Schoolboy” Tinago — will trade leather with Tanaka Matsendekwa in his first professional fight at the Zvenyika Arifonso Testimonial on Africa Day.
BY ALBERT MARUFU
The-19-year-old boxer’s four-round super flyweight bout, is one of a number of fights to be staged at Mbare’s Barca Sports Club in honour of Zvenyika, a two-time Commonwealth title winner who hung his gloves in 2006 after a 13-year career.
Breland, who is Langton’s sixth born child, will be itching to step into the shoes of his legendary father who retired in 1987 after winning 83 (16 knock outs), losing 20 (four knock outs) and drawing three in his 107 professional fights.
The pugilist’s father Langton, who is also Breland’s coach, expects his son to beat his own record.
“I am not going to say much, because I am as yet to see his first professional fight. However, I want him to be better than me. Remember I went into the Guinness Book of Records after winning the Commonwealth title three times. For him to achieve that, he has to be a world champion. That is my biggest wish,” said Langton who also turned pro at the age of 19 in July 1967.
Langton said he would be there by the ringside on May 25 to help Breland, who also carries the nickname “Schoolboy” on his first professional bout.
“I think he has the potential to be a good boxer. The current situation is better than it was during the time we boxed. I saw him winning at the Youth Games,” he said.
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However, the main draw card of the day will be the four round bout, pitting two-time Commonwealth champion Arifonso and two-time Commonwealth title challenger Spencer Matsangula.
The fight will be Arifonso’s last as he bids farewell to his fans in a four-round bout.
Also at the same venue, Edmos “The Hunter” Takawira will be hoping to inflict revenge on Wesley Macdade, when they square up in an eight-round light heavy weight contest. The two clashed in 2010 with Takawira being knocked out in the 10th round.
Arifonso’s son, Norman (17), will also fight as an amateur after delaying turning professional, “to concentrate on representing Zimbabwe at the Zone Six Games.”
Zvenyika’s manager Wellington Wurayayi who is organising the Testimonial bout said they were still running around to secure sponsorship for the event.
“So far we received sponsorship from Beta Balls and it is our hope that the corporate world will continue to chip in,” said Wurayayi.
