Let’s not gamble with young boxers – Ashikoto

Limba Mupetami WINDHOEKTrainer Risto Ashikoto has urged the local boxing scene to exercise caution when pitting boxers against one another after one of his fighters, Martin Mukungu, was knocked down by Phillipus ‘Energy’ Nghitumbwa last weekend.After the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias ‘Together As One’ boxing bonanza, which took place last Saturday at the Windhoek Country Club, Nghitumbwa now has 13 fights, 12 wins and one loss, while Mukungu boasts five fights, four wins and one loss.When boxers are pitted against one another, they should match each other’s level, Ashikoto said.“Mukungu has a lot of potential. But you can’t match him against a boxer with Nghitumbwa’s calibre so early in his career. It’s career suicide,” he said.Boxers must prove themselvesThe trainer said fighters like Nghitumbwa should first go up against the likes of bantamweight boxers Paulus Ampunda and Immanuel Naidjala so that they can be “tested thoroughly” and to prove themselves.Ashikoto added that he had plans for Nghitumbwa for early next year and told him not to accept the fight.“The financial circumstances created by Covid-19 most probably also push some boxers to accept fights they aren’t ready for just to earn a quick dollar.“But boxers shouldn’t be pushed into accepting fights just for peanuts for others to advance their careers,” he said.“We are trying to groom these young boxers, to build their confidence and character. We have no sponsorship, but we try our best. Now you find a stable like [the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy] who, despite doing the same for their boxers, doesn’t respect the effort and work we are putting into our boxers,” Ashikoto said.‘I don’t have beef with anyone’“I don’t have beef with anyone, especially Nestor Tobias, but we really need to protect our boxers,” he added.“Look at Harry Simon Junior, for instance. He is being groomed. He hasn’t fought an opponent which has given him a tough time in the ring. Because they want to build a good record for him,” he said.Simon has now 12 fights, all of them wins. “Now we also want to do the same for our young, talented boxers. So, when local promoters pit boxers against each other, do it in a careful and in equal standing so that each boxer can give a great account of himself and to prepare well in advance as well,” Ashikoto said. – limba@namibiansun.com

Let’s not gamble with young boxers – Ashikoto

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-01

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Let’s not gamble with young boxers – Ashikoto

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Namibian Sun 2026-01-01

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