By SHAMAOMA MUSONDA –

THE World Boxing Council (WBC) has picked an Italian referee, Guido Cavalleri to officiate next weekend’s Welterweight Silver title fight between Charles Manyuchi and Gianluca Frezza in Venice, Italy.
Apart from Cavalleri, the WBC has also named one more Italian Sergio Silvi among the three judges with the other two being Robin Dolpierre of France and Francisco Marcos Vazquez of Spain, while WBC vice-president Mauro Betti, also of Italy, will supervise the bout.
Oriental Quarries Boxing Promotions (OQBP) operations manager Chris Malunga said his stable was not concerned with the oversised Italian line-up of ring officials as Manyuchi was ready to fight and retain the title.
Malunga said Manyuchi was in fine form and had a good strategy that would see him win the fight and that the issue of Italian officials handling the bout will not deter him.
“Manyuchi has fought outside the country before and he has done pretty well. So we are not worried about anything. In fact, I think it is good that boxers get to go and fight outside their country as that is what the whole country has been asking for,” he said.
Manyuchi, who tomorrow leaves for Italy, said at a Press briefing that he was ready for the fight.
“I am ready and prepared for the fight, in fact I am hungry and I’m just waiting for the fight date so I get this over with and see who my manager will bring for me next.
“Yes, I am fighting in Europe for the first time and at first I had my worries but I have realised that it is an opportunity for me, a chance to market myself in Europe and beyond and get the big title eventually,” he said.
His coach Mike ‘Weaver’ Zulu said Manyuchi was in perfect condition for the fight and the strategy for the fight had been well drawn-up.
Malunga said WBC bantamweight champion Catherine Phiri may not make the trip, which should have helped her in her training, due to challenges in securing a visa but that efforts were being made to get her on the plane.