Zimbabwean boxer Charles Manyuchi last night did the unthinkable beating the highly rated Dumitry Mikhaylenko of Russia on points to bag the World Boxing Council Silver Welterweight title in the Russian capital.
The all Russian panel of judges scored the match 116-114, 118-110, 115-113 unanimously in favour of the underdog tagged Manyuchi in one of the toughest boxing bouts in recent days.
Going into the fight, the Zimbabwean was not given a chance to land the title previously held by World Champion Floyd Mayweather Junior.
The Zimbabwean managed to survive a huge scare from the big throwing over confident Russian who wanted to down the Zimbabwean in the early rounds.
Manyuchi stood his ground avoiding several fast jabs from Mikhaylenko who appeared rushing for a quick knock out. As the Russian weaned off, Manyuchi picked up his normal fight and started throwing hard jabs on the Russian who appeared more ready to collapse towards the end of the fight for an obvious unanimous decision in favour of Manyuchi.
Manyuchi has joined the ranks of other previous Zimbabwean world boxing title holders like Proud “Kilimanjaro” Chinembiri, Langton “School Boy” and Alfonso “The Mosquito” Zvenyika.
Sports Minister Makhosini Hlongwane who is on record promising huge rewards for excelling Zimbabwean sportspersons was not immediately available for comment last night.