But what Maridzo (28) got was a cold response from his countrymen and a small band of international and local journalists trekking to his Warren Park home for interviews.
Today the man they call “Mastak Power”, a former rank tout in his home suburb, who rose from obscurity to land the continental belt has lost all hope of defending his belt on home soil after failing to secure sponsors.
World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa fourth vice-president Andrew Smale told Standardsport from his base in South Africa that all hopes of staging the Maridzo title defence bout in Zimbabwe had been dashed.
“I cannot say much with regards to his title defence, but can tell you that we could not find anyone to promote the fight in Zimbabwe.
“That is the reason he (Tineyi Maridzo) came here and I am sure in the next six weeks, something will crop up. He is training here in South Africa at the moment, but I cannot say much,” he said.
Maridzo was scheduled to defend his belt at home last month but nothing materialised, as sponsors did not come on board.
Out of frustration, Maridzo erected a miniature Great Zimbabwe shrine at his parent’s home in Warren Park to “show the world the devotion that I have for this great country.”
“I love my country but the country does not love me. I feel let down by my country. Twice I have raised the Zimbabwean flag high, but I got nothing,” he told the Standardsport in April.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
The pugilist has had enough of being snubbed by his countrymen and has set up a new base in South Africa with chances of local boxing fans seeing him in action on home soil being minimal.
Such is the current state of affairs with regards to boxing.
