Titanic battle looms
The stage is set for a titanic national title fight between Charles Shinima and Mendu Kaangundue on Saturday.
Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias says the time has come for boxing stables to stage more national title fights, in order to promote upcoming boxers.
The MTC Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy will host a tournament which will see local boxers trading blows in different weight divisions at the A. Shipena Secondary School at 18:00 on Saturday.
The promoter emphasised the importance of giving opportunities to upcoming fighters, so they can prove they are capable of becoming future world champions.
“There are currently so many vacant national titles, so all boxing stables should organise fights for them.
“It is for this reason I have decided to stage this tournament, in order to give the boxers a chance to fight for national titles.
“Because former champions are retiring and others have reached their peak, it is time for new champions to emerge,” Tobias said.
He also commented on rumours that the boxing tournament had been cancelled due to hiccups at the boxing control board.
It was reported this week that the Namibia Boxing and Wrestling Control Board would not be sanctioning any fights until the ministry of sport provides them with funding.
Tobias, however, assured the public that the academy and the boxing board have reached an agreement that allows them to host the tournament, despite the pending issues.
“Our understanding is that the issues of the boxing control board are with the government and not with us.
“These title fights does not require people from outside the country to officiate and therefore there will be no problems as far as staging this tournament is concerned.
“It was not easy to organise these fights and I can confirm that we have come to an agreement with the boxing board to stage these fights,” Tobias added.
Boxers aim high
The boxers also expressed their desire to battle each other on Saturday during yesterday's media briefing. Charles Shinima, who is set to face Mendu Kaangundue for the vacant national middleweight title, vowed to dismantle his opponent in the ring. Shinima will face a much-experienced boxer and a man he refers to as his senior. “There is, however, no senior when it comes to the ring and I am ready to win this fight. “I am very happy that the fight is on after it was reported that it could be cancelled.
“All I can tell you is that the small boy is going to discipline his senior in the ring on Saturday,” Shinima said. Kaangundue who has been in the boxing game for a long time was unshaken by his opponent's words.
He said he will not say much before the fight, but will show Shinima what respect is.
“I am not a political guy and I am therefore a person who does not talk too much.
“I have been preparing very hard for this fight, making me ready and fit to prove to Shinima that he is a small boy to me,” Kaangundue added. Kaangundue has a record of six wins and three losses in nine professional fights, while Shinima boasts a record of seven wins out of seven fights.
The main supporting bout will see Harry Simon Junior clashing with Dominicus Weyulu in a junior welterweight fight over four rounds. General tickets are selling for N$50, while VIP tickets cost N$200.
All the undercard bouts will take place over four rounds.
Usko Rehebiam and Frans Naanda face each other in a lightweight bout.
The rest of the undercard is as follows:
Abed Shikongo (pro debut) vs Ndangi Shapwa; Mateus Heita vs Theofelus Nashilongo; Sam Mathews vs Willem Shili; Philip Shaanika vs Samuel Kambuta; Andreas Mwenyo vs Immanuel Shapaka; and Sakaria Sheehama vs Paulus Amavilla
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
The MTC Nestor 'Sunshine' Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy will host a tournament which will see local boxers trading blows in different weight divisions at the A. Shipena Secondary School at 18:00 on Saturday.
The promoter emphasised the importance of giving opportunities to upcoming fighters, so they can prove they are capable of becoming future world champions.
“There are currently so many vacant national titles, so all boxing stables should organise fights for them.
“It is for this reason I have decided to stage this tournament, in order to give the boxers a chance to fight for national titles.
“Because former champions are retiring and others have reached their peak, it is time for new champions to emerge,” Tobias said.
He also commented on rumours that the boxing tournament had been cancelled due to hiccups at the boxing control board.
It was reported this week that the Namibia Boxing and Wrestling Control Board would not be sanctioning any fights until the ministry of sport provides them with funding.
Tobias, however, assured the public that the academy and the boxing board have reached an agreement that allows them to host the tournament, despite the pending issues.
“Our understanding is that the issues of the boxing control board are with the government and not with us.
“These title fights does not require people from outside the country to officiate and therefore there will be no problems as far as staging this tournament is concerned.
“It was not easy to organise these fights and I can confirm that we have come to an agreement with the boxing board to stage these fights,” Tobias added.
Boxers aim high
The boxers also expressed their desire to battle each other on Saturday during yesterday's media briefing. Charles Shinima, who is set to face Mendu Kaangundue for the vacant national middleweight title, vowed to dismantle his opponent in the ring. Shinima will face a much-experienced boxer and a man he refers to as his senior. “There is, however, no senior when it comes to the ring and I am ready to win this fight. “I am very happy that the fight is on after it was reported that it could be cancelled.
“All I can tell you is that the small boy is going to discipline his senior in the ring on Saturday,” Shinima said. Kaangundue who has been in the boxing game for a long time was unshaken by his opponent's words.
He said he will not say much before the fight, but will show Shinima what respect is.
“I am not a political guy and I am therefore a person who does not talk too much.
“I have been preparing very hard for this fight, making me ready and fit to prove to Shinima that he is a small boy to me,” Kaangundue added. Kaangundue has a record of six wins and three losses in nine professional fights, while Shinima boasts a record of seven wins out of seven fights.
The main supporting bout will see Harry Simon Junior clashing with Dominicus Weyulu in a junior welterweight fight over four rounds. General tickets are selling for N$50, while VIP tickets cost N$200.
All the undercard bouts will take place over four rounds.
Usko Rehebiam and Frans Naanda face each other in a lightweight bout.
The rest of the undercard is as follows:
Abed Shikongo (pro debut) vs Ndangi Shapwa; Mateus Heita vs Theofelus Nashilongo; Sam Mathews vs Willem Shili; Philip Shaanika vs Samuel Kambuta; Andreas Mwenyo vs Immanuel Shapaka; and Sakaria Sheehama vs Paulus Amavilla
Jesse Jackson Kauraisa
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