Harare — EVER imagined a rank marshal being the World Boxing Organisation African super middleweight champion?

Well, for Tineyi Mharidzo, it has turned to be the fairy-tale from zero to hero after grabbing this title from former champion Michael Schultz in South Africa two weeks ago.

He pays tribute to the family of Warren Park One rank marshalls whom he says turned him into a competent boxer.

"I used to want to fight while being a marshal at Warren Park 1 rank for omnibuses where I operated with other guys," said Mharidzo.

"However they encouraged me to start training and in the process gave me the money they collected to supplement my diet. So now when I'm not doing anything I go there because they are family.

"Without these guys I would not be here therefore I owe everything to them," he said.

Mharidzo said he never dreamt of being a boxer but was rather interested in the 100m and 200m sprints at school.

"But the picture of boxers continued to fascinate me and I wondered how I could also start fighting and that was when Farai Musiiwa saw me training in 1997," said Mharidzo.

"People like Misheck Kondwani, Hastings Rasani, Farai Master Kachigwada and Spencer Madzangure all helped me.

"Hastings went to fight for the Commonwealth title but lost and Musiiwa did the same and he also lost and I felt I wanted such an opportunity and if I get them I would win.

"This is what kept me going."

Mharidzo continued to fight despite the sudden collapse of the Raylton Boxing Club.

But he continued to work hard and in 1997 got his breakthrough fight when he took on Namibian Wilberforce Shihipo who was regarded as one of the strongest fighters in his country.

"It was at short notice, about two weeks, when I was told I would face Shihipo," said Mharidzo.

"I managed to fight him for four rounds but I gave up because I had run out of gas. The other matches to follow were with local guys like Gibson Mapfumo and Victor Moyo.

"I also had another fight with Vikapita Mirooro but I gave up in the seond round because I had pulled a muscle while having another injury in the pelvic area.'

However, Mharidzo continued to persue his dream and finally landed the chance to fight Schultz.

"Schultz underated me because when I first met him before the match he was asking why they had brought a welterwieght fighter to face him," said Mharidzo.

"That was the mistake he made. As a result I never gave him any respect and it's something I learnt from Mike Tyson when he goes into the ring. My right hand did the rest."

Now Mharidzo is basking in his glory and will defend his title soon against an unknown opponent.

What worries him is no one has come up to promote or sponsor him to have the bout here in Harare where he can enjoy the support of his family and old colleagues among the rank marshals.

"It is hard not easy to fight at home because there are no promoters. We should have competitive boxing in all areas of the country," said Mharidzo.

"We need to build rings, have professional coaches, equipment, gyms among other stuff for us to make it. People like Stalin Mau Mau lifted me up as they used to sponsor me but they have stopped. No one is promoting boxing."

Mharidzo conceded that he once slipped into an alcoholic following the death of his mother. "The death of my mother damaged me as I failed to concentrate on my education but anyway I grew up as a tougher guy,," he saiid.

"I want to thank my wife Eunice Mabika who has given me support throughout and she is now my mother.

"You need to take care of your family all the time."

Mharidzo believes there were many talented boxers in this country who just needed exposure. He has a message for them.

"Keep the spirit burning and find strength, especially when you are getting tired, and you will one day be number one."