HARARE - Zimbabwe's Africa Boxing Union champion Charles Manyuchi carries the hope of a nation when he takes on Ghanaian Patrick Allotey for the World Boxing Championship in Zambia on Saturday.
Manyuchi's fight is expected to be the main bout while ABU bantamweight women champion Cathrine Phiri would be up against Pia Mazelanik of Germany for the vacant WBC silver bantamweight title.
Masvingo-based Manyuchi, who is contracted to Zambia-based Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions, comes into the bout with a record of 20 fights; 18 victories, one draw and one defeat.
"Fighting for the WBC title is the ultimate goal for every boxer and this is why I am not hesitating to challenge for this prestigious title," Manyuchi told the Daily News yesterday.
In June this last year, Manyuchi knocked out Patrice Toke in Burkina Faso to grab the Africa Boxing Union welterweight.
Allotey fought Toke in December 2011 for the WBC silver international welterweight title and the Ghanaian won on unanimous points decision.
There will be three supporting bouts that would see Zimbabwe's Takudzwa Kuchocha trade leather with Congolese welterweight boxer Mbiya Kanku with the second women bout being the contest between Zimbabwean Monalisa Sibanda against Zambia's Lolita Muzeya in a welterweight non-title fight.
Zimbabwe's Wesley MacDade will face Zambian light-heavyweight Donald Kampamba.