SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwe’s own former World Boxing Organisation (WBO), Africa Super Middleweight champion Tineyi Maridzo will on October 4 step into the ring to challenge Namibia’s Wilberforce Shipeho in an eight round non-title contest at the Katutura Sports Centre in Windhoek.
By Michael Kariati
Maridzo was stripped of the WBO Africa title after he failed to defend it due to the none availability of promoters in Zimbabwe and Shipeho now holds the title although the two are squaring up in a non-title light heavyweight fight.
Maridzo and Shipeho met way back in 2007 with the Zimbabwean systematically losing out after throwing in the towel in the third round of a scheduled six-round contest.
Ironically, Shipeho is at the moment in South Africa preparing for the bout although it will be held in his home country.
Although Maridzo has an impressive record of 13 wins and four losses, the Namibian has an equally good history. On top of the WBO Africa title he holds, he has also made attempts at the World Boxing Council (WBC)’s International light heavyweight, as well as the WBO International championships.
Although he did not succeed, the WBC and the WBO do not offer such title cracks to boxers who have not proved themselves.
The secretary general of the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board, Gilbert Munetsi said they have cleared Maridzo to go and fight as his papers are in order. “We have looked at the contract and we are happy,” said Munetsi.
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Maridzo won the WBO Africa title after cutting down to size South Africa’s Michael Schultz in only 87 seconds. Some boxing fans that were going to watch the bout did not even get the opportunity as it was over before they could find their way into the venue. He defended the title against the same opponent the following year, knocking down Shultz in the third round.
Former Zimbabwe and Africa Boxing Union heavyweight title holder Proud Kilimanjaro Chinembiri (the late) holds the record of the quickest win in Zimbabwe after knocking out Ringo Star in 29 seconds at Mucheke Stadium in Masvingo.
Maridzo, like most of Zimbabwe’s top boxers, is based outside the country as there are no promoters with funds to bankroll international fights.
Promoter Stalin Mau Mau was straight forward, saying he cannot afford to fork out US$10 000 to stage a tournament when his children do not have school fees.
As a result, Zimbabweans have not had the opportunity to watch World Boxing Council International welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi in their own backyard. Manyuchi is now based in Zambia where he fights under Oriental Boxing Promotions.
Manyuchi has also fought in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Burkina Faso.
