Boxing explosion at HICC
THE Rainbow Towers Conference Centre will explode tonight as boxers from across the continent exchange blows for titles across all weight classes.
The event, dubbed Harare’geddon, has eight action-packed match-ups, including Zimbabwean cruiserweight Sting Gonarenda and heavyweight Elvis Moyo in two WBF Africa Championship bouts.
This is part of the Friday Fight Night Pan African boxing series, a collaboration between Kalakoda Promotions and Kwesé Sport, which is shaking up the status quo of boxing across the continent.
While the undercard is stacked with some of the most talented fighters in Africa, including WBC cruiserweight contender Junior Makabu, who is looking to rebuild after a loss to Tony Bellew at Goodison Park in England last year, as well as local favourite Tinashe Mwadziwana, it is the main bout between Moyo, also an EFC mixed martial artist, fighting against Bernard Adie of Kenya for the vacant WBF Africa heavyweight title, that promises fireworks.
Moyo, during a Press conference held at the match venue yesterday, declared he would destroy his opponent to reclaim the title he held a few years back before ditching the sport to concentrate on mixed martial arts.
“I have never fought in Zimbabwe, but I want to tell you that this is where the Bomber was loaded. Most of my opponents tend to run away and waste my time in the ring, so Bernard, please give me a fight. You have got to fight. They run away and sometimes it makes me look bad. Of course, I hit hard, but that’s not an excuse to run away. You are a fighter, you got to fight. So I’m sure he (Adie) is gonna fight. It’s going to be a war,” he declared.
Moyo continued with his arrogance: “Usually, my opponents last two rounds, and it’s not enough. For this one, I’m looking at six rounds. This is a 10-round bout and I would be grateful if we fight all the rounds. But that doesn’t mean I will not try to knock him out from round one. He knows I’m gonna do it and I’m gonna do it.”
Adie looked rattled by the Bomber’s antics, but preferred to be a man of few words.
“I want people to come and watch the fight and I will go with the belt,” he said, rather hesitantly though.
Adie will not be a pushover. Nicknamed the “Viper of East Africa”, the former African Boxing Union title challenger has a good record of 15-5 (11), fighting in places such as Dubai, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, Germany and Russia.
Fight Card
Vacant WBF Africa Heavyweight Title Bout (10 rounds) Elvis Moyo (Zimbabwe) vs Bernard Adie (Kenya)
International Cruiserweight Bout (8 rounds) Ilunga Makabu Jr (DR Congo) vs Mussa Ajibu (Malawi)
Vacant WBF Africa Cruiserweight Title Bout (10 rounds) Sting Gonorenda (Zimbabwe) vs Kamanji Ramadan (Tanzania)
International Light Welterweight Bout (8 rounds) Wilson Masamba (Malawi) vs Lawrence Moyo (Zimbabwe)
International Lightweight Bout (8 rounds) Felix Vengenayi (Zimbabwe) vs George Otieno (Kenya)
International Super Middleweight Bout (6 rounds) Nicola Mutondara (Zimbabwe) vs Alick Mweda (Malawi)
Bantamweight Bout (6 rounds) Tinashe Mudshadwana (Zimbabwe) vs Tapua Tembo (Zimbabwe)
Middleweight Bout (4 rounds) Freeman Musariri (Zimbabwe) vs Liberty Muwahi (Zimbabwe)
Light Welterweight Bout (4 rounds) Last Magare (Zimbabwe) vs Phisidza Musaryrie (Zimbabwe)
BY HENRY MHARA
