Hero's welcome for boxing champion Tinashe "The Pu...

Hero's welcome for boxing champion Tinashe "The Punisher" Majoni

Philemon Jambaya—Zim Now Editor

The roar of youthful cheers echoed through Mufakose High School in Triangle, a vibrant symphony of pride and inspiration.

World Boxing Federation Super Flyweight All Africa champion Tinashe "The Punisher" Majoni, a gladiator who had conquered the continental squared circle, returned to the very place where his fistic journey first flickered to life.

Last week, the Lowveld son, now a conquering hero, made an emotional pilgrimage back to his roots, his newly won African belt gleaming like a beacon of possibility. Accompanying him was his astute cornerman and manager, Ali "Otto" Phiri.

"It was quite a pleasure to be here," Majoni expressed, his voice tinged with heartfelt sentiment. "I felt the need to come back and celebrate with you what I have achieved, as this is where the story began."

The tale began humbly, with a young Majoni honing his nascent skills, not in a state-of-the-art gymnasium, but under the vast African sky in Triangle. He vividly recounted those early days to the captivated students of Mufakose High, his words painting a picture of raw ambition fueled by unwavering dedication.

"As I stand before you, I want to tell you that nothing is impossible if you work hard," the champion declared, his voice resonating with conviction. "I started my boxing career here in Triangle, and we used to train with a punching bag hanging on a tree, but I never gave up on my dream, and here I am today, holding the African Belt."

His message was a potent uppercut of encouragement to his former peers: "You too can achieve whatever you can dream, no matter your background. All that is needed is hard work and dedication towards your dream."

Majoni's ascent through the pugilistic ranks has been a testament to this very ethos. From clinching provincial titles in national tournaments representing Masvingo, he turned professional in 2019 after destiny laced his gloves with Ali Phiri in 2017, while he was under the tutelage of the esteemed Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy.

Festus Dumbu, the president of the Zimbabwe Boxing Federation and a fellow Lowveld resident, proudly attested to Majoni's early promise. "We are gathered here to celebrate one of our own. Majoni started off here in the Lowveld, and we are proud that as Triangle, we have produced a champion," Dumbu beamed. "As we celebrate him today, we challenge you to follow in his footsteps and carry the flag and the history of boxing in Lowveld."

Triangle, renowned for its sprawling sugarcane fields, is also a fertile breeding ground for sporting prowess. Mufakose High School, nestled within this vibrant community, nurtured not only Majoni but also the former World Boxing Council Silver welterweight king, Charles Manyuchi. The presence of the Gibbo Boxing Arena, Zimbabwe's sole standard boxing stadium, underscores the town's deep-seated love for the sweet science. It's no wonder that many of the young pugilists who have propelled Masvingo province to dominance in the National Youth Games hail from this very locale.

The local sugar behemoth, Tongaat Hulett, has long championed sports development, sponsoring the Premier Soccer League's Triangle United and playing a vital role in nurturing talent within local schools like Mufakose High. Majoni, who seized the WBF Super Flyweight Africa crown with a decisive TKO victory over Malawi's Aubrey Masamba back on March 25th in Harare, is a shining product of this supportive ecosystem.

With an impressive record boasting only a single blemish in twelve professional bouts, the humble yet determined 26-year-old is now poised to defend his hard-earned title in Harare on August 30th.

Reflecting on his journey, Majoni, who rose from humble beginnings, offered words of wisdom that transcended the boxing ring. "We are many here at school, and we come from different backgrounds," he shared. "Some are not academically gifted, and some are also good at school. But, if you have anything that you feel you are good at, give it your all. If you are good academically, invest all your energy. If you are good at sports, do it wholeheartedly."

He continued, "I had a poor background, but I had some teachers here whom I confided in. Do not let your poor background take away your confidence. We are all human beings; it doesn’t matter whether you’re from rural or remote areas. We didn’t have enough boxing equipment, but through sheer determination, I would go on and beat boxers from Harare and other urban centers."

Mufakose High School's head, Severino Bvunyenge, who also serves as the Masvingo Boxing Federation secretary-general, hailed Majoni as a true ambassador. "He has made us proud," Bvunyenge affirmed. "Majoni is a good example of how one can transform his life through sport. Imagine, a boy from Mufakose High is now an African champion! He is the best in his weight category across Africa, and it all started at this school."

Even the initial reservations of Majoni's parents couldn't halt his determined march towards destiny. His father, Lovemore Majoni, initially harbored concerns for his son's safety in the brutal ballet of boxing. "He would do the sport clandestinely, but the secret was blown away when he won a tournament in Bulawayo," the elder Majoni recounted. Eventually, witnessing his son's unwavering passion and burgeoning success, the father became a staunch supporter.

His mother, Beatrice, a devout Christian, also held initial reservations. "We are Christians, so fighting and our religion do not go hand in hand," she explained. However, seeing Tinashe's deep-seated passion and the opportunities the sport presented, her heart softened.

Dumbu eloquently summarized the inspirational narrative: "Majoni’s story is inspirational. He is an inspiration to other youths because they can now see the broader trajectory of talent development."

In Dumbu's office, a testament to Triangle's rich boxing heritage, trophies and shields gleam, each a silent roar of past victories. "Triangle is basically a boxing community," Dumbu concluded with pride. "It’s the only community in Zimbabwe with a standard boxing stadium — the Gibbo Boxing Arena. So, it’s not by coincidence that we have elite boxers from this community. We have a boxing development culture, which we have continued to maintain.’’