'Desert Storm' inches closer to big title fight

Namibia’s national featherweight champion, Sakaria ‘Desert Storm’ Lukas, appears to be well on his way to getting the sort of opportunities that will propel him towards international recognition. Following an impressive knockout win over local boy, Nathaniel ‘Sir’ Kamati, which gave Lukas the WBA Pan-African featherweight title, there is talk that Lukas could be just two fights away from a “massive fight”. Lukas improved his record to 16 wins in 16 fights, with 11 of those victories coming within the distance. When compared to other boxers groomed by the MTC Nestor Sunshine Academy, Lukas is not that far from getting his shot. Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda, who currently holds the IBO world super bantamweight title, got his big fight at 19 fights. Having claimed an African title and subsequently an international belt, Ambunda fought and won the WBO world bantamweight title back in 2012. Similarly, Immanuel ‘Prince’ Naidjala was on his 18th bout when he challenged Japan’s Tomoki Kameda for the WBO world title. It is therefore not farfetched to presume that Lukas might just be closer to a world title shot, especially given his impressive record. HECTOR MAWONGA