Preparations for Harare’s first ever World Boxing Council title fight between defending champion Charles Manyuchi and France’s Damien Martin of France in September, have been thrown into turmoil.

There are alleged attempts by a local promoter to “hijack” the event in which the 26-year-old Manyuchi is expected to defend his WBC silver welterweight title at the Harare International Conference Centre on September 30.

Manyuchi’s Zambian promoters Oriental Quarries, who have the rights to host the title fight, accuse Box Africa promotions of trying to usurp the historical event after the latter wrote to the Minister of Sports and Recreation seeking a stake in the promotion of the fight.

Box Africa, who are fronted by UK based Marshal Gore, wrote to Minister of Sports Makhosini Hlongwane Monday stating that it was unjustifiable for Oriental Quarries to promote the big fight without a local partner.

“Our view is that, as much as Oriental Quarries are the managers of Charles Manyuchi, it will be unjustifiable for them to host a boxing tournament in Zimbabwe without partnering a local promoter. It is against this background and in the spirit of indigenization (which seeks to empower Zimbabweans) that we offer ourselves to be the co-hosts,” read part of Box Africa’s letter.

Oriental Quarries manager Chris Malunga has ruled out that possibility and accuses Box Africa of attempting to hijack the event.“This attempt smacks of greediness, where was Box Africa all along when Manyuchi needed support.

“We have the exclusive rights to promote the fight in Zimbabwe and their attempts will not affect us in any way.We have an agreement with the Ministry of Sports in Zimbabwe, the World Boxing Council has already sanctioned us and we are doing it in honour of President Robert Mugabe,” fumed Malunga Tuesday afternoon.

“Who is Box Africa, what do they stand for. If they are true about boxing promotion then they should have first sought dialogue with Oriental Quarries and not try and use a bullish approach. Let me put it straight, there are a lot of Zimbabwean partners who have expressed interests in working with Oriental Quarries and they are doing so in the correct manner. As for Box Africa, there is no way we will partner them,” he said.