Zimbabwe’s footprint on the global boxing stage continued to expand through its officials as veteran referee and judge Patrick Mukondiwa recently represented the country with distinction after officiating in three International Boxing Federation (IBF) contests in Accra, Ghana.
The bouts were staged on December 20 at the iconic Legon Sports Stadium before a capacity crowd of approximately 18,000 spectators.
Mukondiwa served as a judge in all three contests, including the high-profile vacant IBF International light-heavyweight title fight between British rivals Craig Richards and Dan Azeez, which Richards won by dramatic 12th-round knockout.
Also present ringside was Zimbabwe-born British heavyweight star Dereck “War” Chisora, who took time to interact with Mukondiwa, highlighting the respect Zimbabwean officials command internationally.
Related Stories
Chisora (36 wins, 13 losses), one of the most durable and recognisable heavyweights of his generation, has shared the ring with many of the world’s elite, including Tyson Fury (twice), Dillian Whyte (twice), Oleksandr Usyk, Vitali Klitschko and Joseph Parker.
Born in Harare, Chisora has in recent months hinted that retirement may be approaching, and has, at one time, floated the idea of staging a farewell bout in his city of birth.
Should the plan sail through, such an event would be unprecedented for Zimbabwean boxing—bringing a global name with deep local roots back home—and could have far-reaching implications for the sport’s revival.
A Chisora fight in Harare would not only place Zimbabwe firmly on the international boxing calendar, but also inspire a new generation of fighters, attract foreign investment and media attention, and validate ongoing efforts by promoters and sponsors to rebuild the professional game.
And as local champions are rewarded – as was the recent case with Clever Sithole and Lawrence Chiyangwa - officials gain global recognition and the prospect of a world-renowned heavyweight returning home gathers momentum, Zimbabwean boxing appears to be entering a period of renewed optimism and possibility.
Leave Comments