A professional boxer from Gwanda, Zimbabwe named Loyd Mujibulikwa has been causing a stir in the boxing community with his remarkable abilities and tenacity. Born to fight, Mujibulikwa’s journey into boxing began in 2011 when he was just 15-years-old. With support from his wife and coaches, he has navigated the challenges of the sport, including scarce sponsorship and funding.

My Afrika Magazine’s reporter Tapiwa Rubaya (TR) had a chance to chat with Mujibulikwa (LM) to hear about his story of perseverance and passion, and his achievements which serve as an inspiration to many young boxers in Zimbabwe.

TR: Can you share with us your background and how you got involved in boxing?

LM: It started back in 2011 when I was agec 15, doing Form four at Gwanda Government Secondary School. My friend Thembanani Ndlovu invited me to join boxing after a soccer academy I was playing for at that time closed down, so I needed something to do after school since I was used to going for training sessions. It was easy for me to accept the invitation because naturally I am a fighter; I used to fight a lot on the streets before I joined boxing.

TR: Share with us how your debut match was and how you felt about the outcome?

LM: I was very excited when I was preparing for my pro debut match in 2022; the type of training I got was now more intense, and I was 100% fit and ready for it. Luckily, I fought against a boxer who already had about four fights as a pro, so I got a chance to watch some of his matches and saw where his strengths and weaknesses were.
During the match, I applied the game plan I had, and I gave my opponent a hard time he did not expect from a debutant. The outcome wasn’t pleasing because I felt like I won the match cleanly, but the judges said it was a draw. When I stepped off the ring, my opponent’s promoter called me and told me that I won that match, which cemented the belief I had, but there was nothing I could do to change the result.

TR: How are you preparing for your training as well preparing for the upcoming rematch?

LM: For my training sessions, it’s a bit challenging due to work commitments and working out of Gwanda town. However, I have managed to create a training schedule that suits the conditions.
When I have an upcoming match, there is a schedule for intense training that I do for a minimum of two months before the match.
I also follow a diet that supports body energy, digestion, and weight management.
For the rematch, I have had a chance to feel my opponent’s power and also noticed his weaknesses and strengths, which will assist my preparations for the match. I know what I have to do and the level of fitness I should be at.

TR: What can you say about the support of individuals and organisations to your career?

LM: First of all, I would like to thank my wife who has been of great support in my boxing career; she understands how the life of a boxer is like and makes sure that I am ready for the fight in many ways. The coaches I have worked with so far shaped me to become the boxer I am today. Without them, I wouldn’t be where I am. Securing sponsorship has been very challenging, and that delayed the rate of my rise to the list of top boxers in the country. I would like to thank the few organisations and individuals who have assisted me so far, and I promise to always give my best.
The clubs and academies that I have trained under in my career from amateur to professional are Underdogs Boxing Club, Powerhouse Boxing Academy (founded by myself), Powerhouse Fitness Centre, Charles Manyuchi Boxing Academy.

TR: What is your take on the introduction of boxing in schools and how does it benefit students?

LM: The government allowed boxing to be introduced in schools and in Matabeleland South we have already started that initiative.
Currently we have introduced boxing in Gwanda High School, Gwanda Government Secondary School, and Swazi High School.
Boxing is a sport like any other and it is safe for schools children since they wear all the protective equipment and there are rules that protect them from damage in the ring.
Boxing has helped a lot of school children in terms of Discipline,Self Confidence, Academic Performance, Natured Character, Avoid Drug and Alcohol Abuse, Avoiding early childhood pregnancy and marriage, create various opportunities as they grow.

TR: Is there sufficient sponsorship and funding for Boxing in Zimbabwe and how can it be improved.?

LM: Sponsorship for boxing is very scarce, we mainly depend on parents, very few well wishers, coaches financing from their own pockets.
From my own perspective, I think the following recommendations can be applied to improve sponsorship:
1. The government to provide enough funding to promote boxing from grassroots level to professional.
2. ⁠Boxing is a sport with a lot of spectators, but we lack promoters who can keep boxers busy by hosting as many tournaments as they can thereby making it more popular and generating income.
3. ⁠Local businesses individuals and organisations to pitch in and assist especially with funding towards sport.

TR: What are your expectations for your rematch with the boxer from DRC and future plans in Boxing.

LM: I am only eyeing a win on my rematch with Andy Muloko from DRC, this time around I will be well prepared. For my future in Boxing, I wish to become a World Champion so that i can open doors for the upcoming boxers. Already I have a boxing academy (Powerhouse) with very talented boxers looking up to me and that motivates me to become a good role model to them.
After my career as a boxer, I want to be a Boxing Promoter, Manager, and a Coach.
I am a qualified Boxing coach and have been coaching boxers since 2012. I produced several Zimbabwean and African champions in the past 13 years.

TR: How do you plan to use your career to influence school children in Matabeleland province?

LM: I have already started coaching schools like Gwanda High and Gwanda Gvt because of what I have done in my career I earned respect and when I am in front of them when it comes to boxing, discipline, life of a boxer, they believe in me because I am an example of all my teachings.

If resources permit, I wish to open clubs in all the schools in Mat-South from primary level to high schools. This can allow us to have schools boxing tournaments and nature champions from a very young age.

TR:How did you overcome the adversity of being counted out and injured in your recent match and what did you learn from the experience?

LM: On being counted out, I feel like the referee wasn’t fair since my opponent committed several fouls but he was never cautioned for any and when I got injured, from my own understanding since it wasn’t a knockdown, she was supposed to allow the doctors to examine the extent of my injury before counting me out.

I learnt that when fighting far from home I should either outclass or knock the opponent out because the opponent starts with a home advantage. The best moment was when I turned his home fans against him and they started singing “Zimbabwe” and I went to celebrate with them before the decision was overturned to a No Contest.

TR: Thank you for your time and we look forward to have another chit-chat with you after your match. All the best.

LM: Thank you for telling my story to the world.