Shonena takes giant step in world rankings
MTC Sunshine Academy prospect Mike Shonena took a giant step forward by improving his World Boxing Organisation (WBO) ranking from 14 to 11 in the May.
The rankings were released on Monday.
Shonena, who has 12 fights under his belt, remains undefeated in the welterweight division. The local boxer, known for his prowess and punching power, is quiet in character but knows how to do the business in the ring.
He started his professional boxing career in July 2013 when he defeated Simon Shafodino and has not looked back, with impressive back-to-back wins earning him a world ranking in 2017, when he clinched the WBO Africa Welterweight title after beating Juma Waswa in October last year.
“I'm happy with my progress and improvement in the world rankings. I know that I'm competing in a very competitive weight class, with the likes of Jeff Horn, who is the current champion, as well as Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao, but I will take every fight one step at a time to get to the top,” Shonena said.
Asked who he would like to fight next, he responded: “Look those decisions are not up to me, they are up to my promoter. I fight any opponent put in front of me because I'm not scared of anyone, but if you ask me who I would like to fight, I would not mind stepping into the ring with Tyson Uushona.
“Uushona has been in this division for a long time, but I know he will never accept a fight against me, because we all know he will never be able to handle my punches, but let us see.”
WBO welterweight rakings (May):
1. Terence Crawford (Super champion) - USA
2. Manny Pacquiao (Super champion) - Philippines
3. Egidjus Kavaliaskas - Lithuania
4. Danny Garcia - USA
5. Giovanni Santillan (NABO champion) - USA
6. Shawn Porter - USA
7. Custio Clayton (International champion) - Canada
8. Roberto Arriaza (Intercontinental champion) - Nicaragua
9. Stephen Danyo (WBO Europe champion) - Netherlands
10. Luis Alberto - Argentina
11. Mike Shonena (WBO Africa champion) - Namibia
12. Kerman Lejarraga - Spain
13. Thomas LaManna - USA
14. Alvin Lugumbay (Asia Pacific champion) - Philippines
15. Karen Chukhadzhyan (WBO Youth champion) - Ukraine
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The rankings were released on Monday.
Shonena, who has 12 fights under his belt, remains undefeated in the welterweight division. The local boxer, known for his prowess and punching power, is quiet in character but knows how to do the business in the ring.
He started his professional boxing career in July 2013 when he defeated Simon Shafodino and has not looked back, with impressive back-to-back wins earning him a world ranking in 2017, when he clinched the WBO Africa Welterweight title after beating Juma Waswa in October last year.
“I'm happy with my progress and improvement in the world rankings. I know that I'm competing in a very competitive weight class, with the likes of Jeff Horn, who is the current champion, as well as Terence Crawford and Manny Pacquiao, but I will take every fight one step at a time to get to the top,” Shonena said.
Asked who he would like to fight next, he responded: “Look those decisions are not up to me, they are up to my promoter. I fight any opponent put in front of me because I'm not scared of anyone, but if you ask me who I would like to fight, I would not mind stepping into the ring with Tyson Uushona.
“Uushona has been in this division for a long time, but I know he will never accept a fight against me, because we all know he will never be able to handle my punches, but let us see.”
WBO welterweight rakings (May):
1. Terence Crawford (Super champion) - USA
2. Manny Pacquiao (Super champion) - Philippines
3. Egidjus Kavaliaskas - Lithuania
4. Danny Garcia - USA
5. Giovanni Santillan (NABO champion) - USA
6. Shawn Porter - USA
7. Custio Clayton (International champion) - Canada
8. Roberto Arriaza (Intercontinental champion) - Nicaragua
9. Stephen Danyo (WBO Europe champion) - Netherlands
10. Luis Alberto - Argentina
11. Mike Shonena (WBO Africa champion) - Namibia
12. Kerman Lejarraga - Spain
13. Thomas LaManna - USA
14. Alvin Lugumbay (Asia Pacific champion) - Philippines
15. Karen Chukhadzhyan (WBO Youth champion) - Ukraine
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