CECILIA ZULU, Lusaka
WORLD Boxing Council (WBC) international welterweight champion Charles Manyuchi will defend his title against Italian Gianluca Frezza.
The fight is set for July 18 in Milan.
Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) operations director Chris Malunga said in a statement in Lusaka yesterday that the stable has opted for Frezza because the Italian has offered good conditions.
Initially, Manyuchi was billed to fight Mexican Silvero Ortiz on April 25 in Lusaka.
“WBC has already approved the move and the contract has been signed.
It is important for him [Charles] to start fighting boxers who are experienced and highly rated.
“Ortiz is also a good boxer but the response from his promoters has been very bad. We did not have any other choice but to withdraw him and go for Frezza,” Malunga said.
The 35-year-old Italian has a record of 22 wins that includes seven knockouts, two draws and defeats.
And Manyuchi will face Tanzanian Ibrahimu Class in a non-title bout during next month’s WBC silver bantamweight champion Catherine Phiri’s title defence at Government Complex in Lusaka.
Malunga said the bout will be a warm-up ahead of the July title fight.
WBC is yet to announce Catherine’s opponent after Jessica Gonzalez of Mexico withdrew barely a month before the fight.
“WBC has already picked the opponent for Catherine but we are yet to sign a contract. Otherwise, preparations are going on well. We are looking forward to staging a successful event,” he said.
OQBP is scouting for K762,070 to successfully stage the fight.