Nothing for mahala
Local boxing board honcho, Hendrik Mapele, says local boxers like former super lightweight world champion Julius Indongo cannot fight for peanuts.
Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board (NPBWCB) acting administrator, Hendrik Mapele, says local boxers are rightly hunting big international paydays.
He was responding to questions about whether Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo is still with Dibella Entertainment, amid speculation that the Namibian was used as a springboard by the American boxing stable to position stablemate Regis Prograis for greater glorifies.
Prograis knocked out the hapless Indongo in the second round of their bout earlier this year, which was the Namibian's first fight since losing a unification match-up against Terence Crawford in August last year.
Indongo has kept a relatively low profile since his fight against Prograis, sparking speculation over whether he is still with Dibella Entertainment.
“Indongo is still with the stable. Promoters don't just put up small fights, but look at the status of the boxer and what kind of money he can bring in.
“A person like Indongo cannot fight for peanuts. He is a million-dollar boxer, so sometimes it takes long to secure such a boxer a lucrative fight,” Mapele explained.
“Indongo lost by a knockout; boxing rules stipulate that he needs three months to recover from that. He is a quality boxer and his contract with Dibella states that he will get about two fights yearly.”
Mapele further explained that Americans don't promote silly fights, as they are all about making money.
“Boxing is a money-making business. Americans will not just call up any boxer, only one who they think has quality and can make money for them. So no, Namibian boxers are not being used as a springboard by international promoters.”
Mapele also mentioned Walter 'Executioner' Kautondokwa, who will fight Demetrius Andrade of the United States this coming Saturday for the vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) crown.
“Kautondokwa was not supposed to fight but he stepped in to take on Andrade because he knows the money involved is close to US$2.3 million. Win or lose, the offer is good, so he will not let it go,” Mapele said.
He further emphasised that getting injured can end a boxer's career, so no one will fight for peanuts and risk their career.
“As for the rest of the promoters who fail to explain to the public when we refuse to sanction their fights; please be aware that there are many factors that we look at, like the boxer's age and the state of his health.
“Some boxers don't realise that they are putting themselves at risk, when they decide to fight, knowing that they shouldn't, and then blame us when we follow the rules and refuse to sanction their fights,” Mapele stressed.
Rumour mill
There was also talk recently that Paulus 'El Jesus' Ambunda has signed with a Singapore boxing stable.
However, his trainer from AC Boxing and Fitness Gym, Immanuel 'Imms' Moses, said this is not true.
Moses said Ambunda had been misquoted by a local radio station.
“We received an offer from a boxing stable in Singapore, but we are still looking at the contract; no decision was made,” he said.
Ambunda, who boasts a record of 27 wins and two losses, recently beat Muhamad Ridhwan to claim the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) super bantamweight world title.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
He was responding to questions about whether Julius 'Blue Machine' Indongo is still with Dibella Entertainment, amid speculation that the Namibian was used as a springboard by the American boxing stable to position stablemate Regis Prograis for greater glorifies.
Prograis knocked out the hapless Indongo in the second round of their bout earlier this year, which was the Namibian's first fight since losing a unification match-up against Terence Crawford in August last year.
Indongo has kept a relatively low profile since his fight against Prograis, sparking speculation over whether he is still with Dibella Entertainment.
“Indongo is still with the stable. Promoters don't just put up small fights, but look at the status of the boxer and what kind of money he can bring in.
“A person like Indongo cannot fight for peanuts. He is a million-dollar boxer, so sometimes it takes long to secure such a boxer a lucrative fight,” Mapele explained.
“Indongo lost by a knockout; boxing rules stipulate that he needs three months to recover from that. He is a quality boxer and his contract with Dibella states that he will get about two fights yearly.”
Mapele further explained that Americans don't promote silly fights, as they are all about making money.
“Boxing is a money-making business. Americans will not just call up any boxer, only one who they think has quality and can make money for them. So no, Namibian boxers are not being used as a springboard by international promoters.”
Mapele also mentioned Walter 'Executioner' Kautondokwa, who will fight Demetrius Andrade of the United States this coming Saturday for the vacant World Boxing Organisation (WBO) crown.
“Kautondokwa was not supposed to fight but he stepped in to take on Andrade because he knows the money involved is close to US$2.3 million. Win or lose, the offer is good, so he will not let it go,” Mapele said.
He further emphasised that getting injured can end a boxer's career, so no one will fight for peanuts and risk their career.
“As for the rest of the promoters who fail to explain to the public when we refuse to sanction their fights; please be aware that there are many factors that we look at, like the boxer's age and the state of his health.
“Some boxers don't realise that they are putting themselves at risk, when they decide to fight, knowing that they shouldn't, and then blame us when we follow the rules and refuse to sanction their fights,” Mapele stressed.
Rumour mill
There was also talk recently that Paulus 'El Jesus' Ambunda has signed with a Singapore boxing stable.
However, his trainer from AC Boxing and Fitness Gym, Immanuel 'Imms' Moses, said this is not true.
Moses said Ambunda had been misquoted by a local radio station.
“We received an offer from a boxing stable in Singapore, but we are still looking at the contract; no decision was made,” he said.
Ambunda, who boasts a record of 27 wins and two losses, recently beat Muhamad Ridhwan to claim the International Boxing Organisation (IBO) super bantamweight world title.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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