Simon urged to 'give back'
Local trainer Immanuel 'Imms' Moses says former world champion, Harry 'The Terminator' Simon, should begin to hone the skills of upcoming local boxers.
Harry 'The Terminator' Simon, whose undefeated streak against international opposition has lasted two decades, should now begin to give back to young, upcoming fighters.
This is this the view of Immanuel 'Imms' Moses from the African Connection (AC) Boxing and Fitness Academy, who said Simon has a wealth of knowledge to share with Namibian boxers.
“It is true that Simon fought in a different era than the current boxers, but I think there is something he can do to lift up the others. He was there before the current crop and nobody should really compare his success to the rest of the boxers, as everyone is fighting in a different era,” Moses said.
He said he has approached Simon about this, but the undefeated former world champion said boxers are not approaching him to try and learn from his experience.
From as early as 1994, when he turned professional, to 2002, Simon was one of the best junior middleweights in the world.
He had impressive skills and could knock out any opponent to end a fight early.
In 1998, Simon edged American Winky Wright in a controversial win, to claim the WBO light middleweight title.
He defended the title four times against British great Kevin Lueshing, as well as American pugilist Rodney Jones, Argentinean Enrique Areco and Wayne Alexander from the United Kingdom.
In 2001, Simon won the interim WBO middleweight crown when he defeated Frenchman Hacine Cherifi and then beat undefeated Swedish boxer Armand Krajnc in 2002.
In 2013, Simon won the vacant IBF International light heavyweight title against Serbian Geard Ajetovic and defended it against the same boxer in 2014.
As an amateur, Simon represented Namibia as a welterweight at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
He has a record of 30 fights, with 22 knockouts and zero losses.
There was just no stopping the hardworking 'Terminator', according to local promoter Smokey Hilongwa.
“Simon is one of those guys who was just very hardworking, which combined with his talent made him a success when he fought internationally,” Hilongwa said.
However, he also emphasised that one cannot compare the current crop of boxers to Simon, because everyone is in their own league, and each time a fight takes place, everyone fights different opponents.
“Every guy is different and has different skills. Simon fought his fights and has set his own record.”
Hilongwa further said there is nothing wrong with local boxers, who appear not to have the measure of international opponents, especially American boxers.
“It's just a matter of how you feel on the night. You can train the whole year for a fight, but if the other guy is better then you, you will lose.”
Hilongwa advised local boxers to continue grabbing opportunities to fight overseas.
Simon is set to return to the ring when HS Onkugo Boxing Promotions hosts a tournament on 24 November in the capital.
He is still active at the age of 41 and will step into the ring to face Tanzanian pugilist Kaminja Ramadhani Shabani in a catch-weight fight over eight rounds.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
This is this the view of Immanuel 'Imms' Moses from the African Connection (AC) Boxing and Fitness Academy, who said Simon has a wealth of knowledge to share with Namibian boxers.
“It is true that Simon fought in a different era than the current boxers, but I think there is something he can do to lift up the others. He was there before the current crop and nobody should really compare his success to the rest of the boxers, as everyone is fighting in a different era,” Moses said.
He said he has approached Simon about this, but the undefeated former world champion said boxers are not approaching him to try and learn from his experience.
From as early as 1994, when he turned professional, to 2002, Simon was one of the best junior middleweights in the world.
He had impressive skills and could knock out any opponent to end a fight early.
In 1998, Simon edged American Winky Wright in a controversial win, to claim the WBO light middleweight title.
He defended the title four times against British great Kevin Lueshing, as well as American pugilist Rodney Jones, Argentinean Enrique Areco and Wayne Alexander from the United Kingdom.
In 2001, Simon won the interim WBO middleweight crown when he defeated Frenchman Hacine Cherifi and then beat undefeated Swedish boxer Armand Krajnc in 2002.
In 2013, Simon won the vacant IBF International light heavyweight title against Serbian Geard Ajetovic and defended it against the same boxer in 2014.
As an amateur, Simon represented Namibia as a welterweight at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona, Spain.
He has a record of 30 fights, with 22 knockouts and zero losses.
There was just no stopping the hardworking 'Terminator', according to local promoter Smokey Hilongwa.
“Simon is one of those guys who was just very hardworking, which combined with his talent made him a success when he fought internationally,” Hilongwa said.
However, he also emphasised that one cannot compare the current crop of boxers to Simon, because everyone is in their own league, and each time a fight takes place, everyone fights different opponents.
“Every guy is different and has different skills. Simon fought his fights and has set his own record.”
Hilongwa further said there is nothing wrong with local boxers, who appear not to have the measure of international opponents, especially American boxers.
“It's just a matter of how you feel on the night. You can train the whole year for a fight, but if the other guy is better then you, you will lose.”
Hilongwa advised local boxers to continue grabbing opportunities to fight overseas.
Simon is set to return to the ring when HS Onkugo Boxing Promotions hosts a tournament on 24 November in the capital.
He is still active at the age of 41 and will step into the ring to face Tanzanian pugilist Kaminja Ramadhani Shabani in a catch-weight fight over eight rounds.
LIMBA MUPETAMI
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