FORMER WBA Pan-African Boxing champion Thamsanqa Dube says he is excited that he has finally got the chance to get back and fight after a three-year absence.
SUKOLUHLE MTHETHWA SPORTS REPORTER
Dube is expected to trade leather with Trevor Mpofu in a non-title contest at Harare Showgrounds in Harare on March 28.
The Zimbabwe heavyweight champion would want to erase the memories of his last fight when he lost to Democratic Republic of Congo-born boxer Flo Simba at Emperor’s Palace on August 29 2011 in South Africa.
After that Dube lacked game time as there were no professional fights. No promoters due to the bad economic situation in the country took up boxing.
With Clyde Musonda from Harare having decided to promote the fight, Dube said he was ready for the challenge.
“It is okay that Trevor is challenging me. I am happy because this is the opportunity for me to fight again after three years. It will help me see if I can still fight. I am hoping that the sponsors would still raise the purse.
“However, I am working very hard because I need to shed weight. But I am looking forward to the fight. I am still a danger in the ring,” he said.
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Dube said his main focus for now was on the fight.
“There is no sponsorship in Zimbabwe boxing. I can’t even plan or set any targets because I might fight next month and stay a very long time without action. I just have to take things as they come.
“The government should assist sportspeople. At some point Manyuchi (Charles, WBC international welterweight) champion wanted to quit boxing. Why? He was not being recognised,” he said.
The winner of the contest is expected to fight South Africa-based heavyweight boxer Elvis Moyo in Bulawayo on June 27.
“The promoters have to ensure that they give us a good purse. Elvis is my close friend. I can’t just fight him when there is little money,” he said.
Dube lost the WBA Pan-African Boxing title in 2011 after failing to secure a fight to defend the title he won when he beat South African Jack Els in 2009.
He will spar against Mpofu a boxer who has always been itching to fight him.
In 2013, when he was 20, Mpofu said: “I want to fight Dube next year (2014). I want to challenge him for the national title fight because he has held that title for too long (Zimbabwe heavyweight title),” he said.
