12th round in their careers
Namibian boxing is experiencing a generational change as the fortunes and hopes are swinging towards the upcoming talent.
Namibia's generation of boxers that reigned supreme in their prime are ageing and losing full potential.
But there has been an emergence of new blood in the Namibian boxing fraternity tipped as future world champions.
It has been evident in the past five years that the time for several boxers to continue claiming world title glory is fading away.
Harry Simon is one of the few remaining boxers who turned professional before the new millennium.
Simon did enjoy a fair share of fame after winning world titles and successfully defending them.
The 'Terminator' has had an astounding record of 30 wins of which 22 came by knockouts in his 24-year boxing career.
The 45-year-old is still arguably the best boxer to have ever graced the boxing ring in the country.
Many people believe that the time has come for Simon to pass on his skills and retire from a career he enjoyed and dominated for over 20 years.
In recent years, Simon returned to the ring after a long absence, but the viper speed he once had has diminished.
The other boxers that are probably also facing an exit from the sport include Paulus Ambunda (38), Paulus Moses (40), Julius Indongo (35), Wilberforce Shihepo (35), Tyson Uushona (36) and Vikapita Meroro (36).
These boxers have reigned in Africa in the past 10 years, winning several African titles.
Ambunda, Indongo, Uushona and Moses have won world titles at professional levels for their country.
Recent times for the boxing greats have however not been so great given that they have lost several important fights to young and upcoming boxers around the world.
With most of them above the age of 35, many Namibian boxing followers felt that it is not long before they officially decide to call it quits.
“Some of these boxers could have fought till in their late 40s, but they are not able to because of the way they live their social lives.
“Boxing demands continuous training and living a healthy life without consuming large amounts of alcohol,” a source that chose to remain anonymous emphasised.
There has however been a glimpse of potential successors to these boxing legends.
Namibia has been singing the praises to one of its rising stars, Jeremiah 'Low-Key' Nakathila.
The 27-year-old is the current WBO Africa super featherweight title holder and has been winning many of his bouts in style.
Nakathila made his professional debut in 2013 and has gone on to win 16 fights and lost only once in his professional career.
“He is a very talented boy who can go places if he is determined to do so.
“I like the commitment and hard work he puts on into the ring,” pomoter and trainer Nestor Tobias said.
In his early 30s, Sakaria 'Desert Storm' Lukas is probably one of Namibia's greatest emerging talents.
Lukas has already arrived even if he is yet to step into the ring for a world title fight.
He possesses a devastating jab which has often been feared by many boxers across the world.
Lukas has been described as one of Africa's best featherweight boxers after defending his WBO Africa featherweight title more than three times.
The Namibian currently has a record of 21 wins in 21 fights, with 14 knockouts. Walter Koutondokwa has struggled to secure a world title fight because many people fear him.
The middleweight boxer has a frightening record of 16 knockouts in 17 fights he has fought so far.
He is currently Namibia's most dangerous and feared boxer who possesses an iron fist.
Mike Shonena (30) has 12 wins from 12 fights and is a joy to watch.
He is yet to turn professional, but Commonwealth gold medallist Jonas Juniors has a great future ahead of him.
“Yes, is true that several boxers are ageing now, but we do not have to worry about that because we still have many talented boxers on the rise.
“The Salute Boxing Academy has several future world champions we are grooming,” Salute Academy's Joseph Hilongwa said.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
But there has been an emergence of new blood in the Namibian boxing fraternity tipped as future world champions.
It has been evident in the past five years that the time for several boxers to continue claiming world title glory is fading away.
Harry Simon is one of the few remaining boxers who turned professional before the new millennium.
Simon did enjoy a fair share of fame after winning world titles and successfully defending them.
The 'Terminator' has had an astounding record of 30 wins of which 22 came by knockouts in his 24-year boxing career.
The 45-year-old is still arguably the best boxer to have ever graced the boxing ring in the country.
Many people believe that the time has come for Simon to pass on his skills and retire from a career he enjoyed and dominated for over 20 years.
In recent years, Simon returned to the ring after a long absence, but the viper speed he once had has diminished.
The other boxers that are probably also facing an exit from the sport include Paulus Ambunda (38), Paulus Moses (40), Julius Indongo (35), Wilberforce Shihepo (35), Tyson Uushona (36) and Vikapita Meroro (36).
These boxers have reigned in Africa in the past 10 years, winning several African titles.
Ambunda, Indongo, Uushona and Moses have won world titles at professional levels for their country.
Recent times for the boxing greats have however not been so great given that they have lost several important fights to young and upcoming boxers around the world.
With most of them above the age of 35, many Namibian boxing followers felt that it is not long before they officially decide to call it quits.
“Some of these boxers could have fought till in their late 40s, but they are not able to because of the way they live their social lives.
“Boxing demands continuous training and living a healthy life without consuming large amounts of alcohol,” a source that chose to remain anonymous emphasised.
There has however been a glimpse of potential successors to these boxing legends.
Namibia has been singing the praises to one of its rising stars, Jeremiah 'Low-Key' Nakathila.
The 27-year-old is the current WBO Africa super featherweight title holder and has been winning many of his bouts in style.
Nakathila made his professional debut in 2013 and has gone on to win 16 fights and lost only once in his professional career.
“He is a very talented boy who can go places if he is determined to do so.
“I like the commitment and hard work he puts on into the ring,” pomoter and trainer Nestor Tobias said.
In his early 30s, Sakaria 'Desert Storm' Lukas is probably one of Namibia's greatest emerging talents.
Lukas has already arrived even if he is yet to step into the ring for a world title fight.
He possesses a devastating jab which has often been feared by many boxers across the world.
Lukas has been described as one of Africa's best featherweight boxers after defending his WBO Africa featherweight title more than three times.
The Namibian currently has a record of 21 wins in 21 fights, with 14 knockouts. Walter Koutondokwa has struggled to secure a world title fight because many people fear him.
The middleweight boxer has a frightening record of 16 knockouts in 17 fights he has fought so far.
He is currently Namibia's most dangerous and feared boxer who possesses an iron fist.
Mike Shonena (30) has 12 wins from 12 fights and is a joy to watch.
He is yet to turn professional, but Commonwealth gold medallist Jonas Juniors has a great future ahead of him.
“Yes, is true that several boxers are ageing now, but we do not have to worry about that because we still have many talented boxers on the rise.
“The Salute Boxing Academy has several future world champions we are grooming,” Salute Academy's Joseph Hilongwa said.
JESSE JACKSON KAURAISA
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