Zvenyika gets boxing licence

Zimbabwe’s Diana Makumbe lands a punch on zambia’s Mable Mulenga during the Africa Boxing Union featherweight

TWO-time Commonwealth flyweight title winner, Arifonso Zvenyika has been granted a boxing promoter’s licence by the Zimbabwe National Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (ZNBWCB) to organise and stage fights anywhere in the country. The former Africa Zone Six champion, who is popularly known as Mosquito in boxing circles, runs the Mosquito Boxing Promotions at Stoddart Hall in Harare where he is also a trainer. There are eight female pugilists under his stable.

In an interview with the Financial Gazette Sport, the vice-chairperson of ZNBWCB, Lorraine Muringi confirmed the development. “Mosquito applied for a licence and he is one of the only four promoters we have issued with licences,” said Muringi, a former promoter herself with Ring Promotions.

Muringi however said they had given Zvenyika a 12 months ultimatum to stage at least one tournament or risk losing the licence next year. “We cannot just register promoters for the sake of registration. We want to see the fruits of that registration,” said Muringi. The national boxing and wrestling controlling body has strict requirements for the registration of promoters as they want to protect both the boxers and the paying public from being duped.

Already the board has delisted one promoter for failing to remit funds after staging a tournament in December last year.  A promoter is required to pay a US$301 tournament license fee. In 1998, Zvenyika under the guidance of renowned boxing promoter and trainer, Liam Middleton, surprised all when he went to the United Kingdom and defeated Scottish boxer Paul Weir to land the Commonwealth title. He won another Commonwealth title in 2000.

Three-time Commonwealth title holder, Langton “Schoolboy” Tinago who is widely regarded as Zimbabwe’s greatest boxer has also joined the promoters stable in his hometown of Gweru. – Michael Kariati