Decide Nhendo
Masvingo born World Boxing Federation (WBO) and World Boxing Organization (WBF) champion Brendon “Boyka” Denes has said that he was still in the game and was ready to show what he is made of at an international boxing tournament to be held in Zambia next month.
Speaking to TellZim News Denes said he was ready to conquer at the non-title tournament that was organized and sponsored by Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions scheduled for April 6, 2024 and said he wanted to use the tournament as a warm up to other upcoming tournaments.
“My name has been announced in the final list of boxers who are going to participate in a non-title boxing event being hosted by Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions taking place on April 6, and I want to assure all those behind me that they are going to witness my best as I am going to give all I got in the tournament.
“Though the tournament is not a tittle competition, I want to use it as a launch pad and warm up for other upcoming matches,” said Denes.
The April tournament has 10 International Bouts and Denes is going to face Albert Mwerwa from Zambia in Bout 7 International Welterweight 8 rounds. Other Zimbabwe boxers who are taking part in the event include Hassan Milanzi who is facing Gracious Zambian Simwalizi on Super Bantamweight in Bout 9 as well as Clever Sithole who will face Simeon Tchetha for Bout 6 International Super Middleweight 8 rounds.
Denes, who is Charles Manyuchi’s disciple said his 2023 wins against Sherif Kasongo on December 16 2023, Benard Sepe and Dickson Saidi in Zimbabwe on 18 and 25 November 2023 respectively gave him confidence and a winning mentality.
“I have competed at various levels locally and internationally for my previous fights and in December I fought Kasongo from Zambia and I won. In November I also competed against two boxers Saidi and Sepe, whom I managed to defeat both.
“My last fights have boosted my confidence and my target as I am encountering my scheduled fights to win. I am ready for the matches and will raise Masvingo and Zimbabwe flags once more,” said Denes.
Through hard work Denes managed to rise from seventh position in ratings to become the second placed pugilist to challenge for the African Boxing Union’s welterweight title on the challenger’s list.
Despite financial constraints he is facing, Denes thanked DocZine fuel mogul Phillip Mapfumo, Clendale Trading And Projects (PTY) LTD as well as 283 Tickets owned by Farai Rungava and John Mugabe for putting an extra effort to help with financial support, training equipment and sports gear.
Denes’s debut match was on May 5 2018 and up to this year he has been competing in the country, continent and overseas in countries like the United Kingdom and once faced the likes of Dean Sutherland and Roman Zakirov.
From his registered 13 wins and four loses, Denes managed to win WBO Global Welterweight when he defeated Namibian Mikka who had not lost a fight in 16 fights until Denes dethroned him on the night of December 12 2020 in Windoek walking away with a cash prize of US$ 2000.
In his amateur record Denes has a superb record of 52 wins out of 54 matches. He also has 17 gold medals from national and regional youth games which shows that his successful boxing career started early.
Denes graduated with a Bachelor of Science Honors Degree in Politics and Public Administration from Great Zimbabwe University where he was awarded the best graduating student athlete.
