Take care of Namibian boxers – Amunyela
Protect your fighters, expert says
Local boxing analyst PJ Amunyela is concerned that Namibian boxers are keeping silent about mistreatment, including meagre pay, because they fear being victimised.
Boxing analyst PJ Amunyela strongly believes that local boxers deserve better pay and treatment and said it's high time relevant stakeholders held up their end of the bargain.
Amunyela said this during a recent interview on the Sport Wrap show, stating that despite boxing promoters producing thousands from boxing events, they continue to pay their boxers peanuts.
"These guys are training hard and are giving it their all. But after fights, they have nothing to show for it. They are being robbed on a daily basis," said Amunyela.
Risk not rewarded
During the interview, he gave a brief analysis of the compensation offered by different boxing stables in the country. According to him, the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing Academy pays the highest rates, followed by the MTC Salute Boxing Academy, with other academies offering lower rates as they receive fewer sponsorships.
Risks
"Imagine a professional boxer getting a mere N$1 500 after a fight. How can he sustain himself? Boxing is a dangerous sport, but they do it to entertain fans. But what happens if he injures himself?”
Amunyela narrated how a boxer from Salute Boxing Academy needed a brain scan, but the stable couldn’t afford the treatment.
"A good Samaritan had to come and assist this boxer," he said.
He added: "Also, the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board is failing the boxers. People who know the sport should be roped in to revive it. There are many former boxers who are knowledgeable about boxing who can assist."
Put in effort
He also spoke about what sets boxing stables apart from each other and whether they are producing the goods.
"We can only say they are producing greatness if we see how far they have travelled in the world. Boxing promoter Nestor Tobias has taken his boxers as far as the United States over the years.
"He has taken them to venues where the likes of former boxing greats like Mohammed Ali have fought. This was done with the help of MTC – their sponsor. But sometimes it’s not about sponsorships," he argued.
"One cannot only rely heavily on local sponsorships. It’s about connections and networks. There are a lot of companies in Namibia, so promoters shouldn’t only look at MTC and PstBet for sponsorship; there are great and successful companies such as Namdia, Meatco and Namcor, so promoters should approach them as well and sell their boxers. Also, promoters should listen to advice from others; that way, people will come on board to assist."
Amunyela also believes local boxers should face each other in order to prove who is best in a particular division.
"Let’s have one national champion in a particular division and let him receive the support to fight abroad or to represent the country when there are competitions," he noted.
Amunyela said this during a recent interview on the Sport Wrap show, stating that despite boxing promoters producing thousands from boxing events, they continue to pay their boxers peanuts.
"These guys are training hard and are giving it their all. But after fights, they have nothing to show for it. They are being robbed on a daily basis," said Amunyela.
Risk not rewarded
During the interview, he gave a brief analysis of the compensation offered by different boxing stables in the country. According to him, the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing Academy pays the highest rates, followed by the MTC Salute Boxing Academy, with other academies offering lower rates as they receive fewer sponsorships.
Risks
"Imagine a professional boxer getting a mere N$1 500 after a fight. How can he sustain himself? Boxing is a dangerous sport, but they do it to entertain fans. But what happens if he injures himself?”
Amunyela narrated how a boxer from Salute Boxing Academy needed a brain scan, but the stable couldn’t afford the treatment.
"A good Samaritan had to come and assist this boxer," he said.
He added: "Also, the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board is failing the boxers. People who know the sport should be roped in to revive it. There are many former boxers who are knowledgeable about boxing who can assist."
Put in effort
He also spoke about what sets boxing stables apart from each other and whether they are producing the goods.
"We can only say they are producing greatness if we see how far they have travelled in the world. Boxing promoter Nestor Tobias has taken his boxers as far as the United States over the years.
"He has taken them to venues where the likes of former boxing greats like Mohammed Ali have fought. This was done with the help of MTC – their sponsor. But sometimes it’s not about sponsorships," he argued.
"One cannot only rely heavily on local sponsorships. It’s about connections and networks. There are a lot of companies in Namibia, so promoters shouldn’t only look at MTC and PstBet for sponsorship; there are great and successful companies such as Namdia, Meatco and Namcor, so promoters should approach them as well and sell their boxers. Also, promoters should listen to advice from others; that way, people will come on board to assist."
Amunyela also believes local boxers should face each other in order to prove who is best in a particular division.
"Let’s have one national champion in a particular division and let him receive the support to fight abroad or to represent the country when there are competitions," he noted.
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