Nakathila stuns Berchelt
Boxer calls out Haney
Namibian pugilist Jeremiah 'Low-Key' Nakathila insisted that respect be put on his name after he proved armchair critics wrong, and showed that Namibian boxers have what it takes to defeat American fighters on their own turf.
Namibian boxer Jeremiah ‘Low-Key’ Nakathila provided the early upset of the year, beating Mexican Miguel 'El Alacrán' Berchelt in the sixth round via a technical knockout at the Resorts World Las Vegas in Las Vegas, America.
Nakathila, who just last June lost to World Boxing Organisation junior lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, wasn’t planning to relive that loss, and stepped up to show the world that he is not a springboard for the former World Boxing Council world super featherweight champion Berchelt, whose nickname translates to 'The Scorpion'.
In the first round, the Namibia had an edge using a good jab, and in the third, a hit from Nakathila on the chin dropped Berchelt for an eight-count from referee Russell Mora. In the fourth, Nakathila continued to dominate.
In the fifth round, Berchelt came back well enough to take the round. But in the sixth round, Nakathila knocked the Mexican's mouth guard out with a solid right on the chin. In between rounds, Berchelt's corner called to stopped the fight.
'I made it look easy'
"I was going to knock him out or put him to sleep in a bad way," Nakathila said in his post-fight interview.
"I know what I have. I knew it would be difficult for him to reach the 10th round. It wasn't so easy, but I made it look easy."
Facing Nakathila was supposed to be the life raft Berchelt needed after coming off a stoppage loss to Oscar Valdez and moving up to lightweight.
"I'm a little bit surprised," Berchelt said about the stoppage. "Thought I was in condition to continue, but the referee decided to stop the fight. He's the ultimate authority. I have to respect that, but I wanted to continue."
Meanwhile, the Namibian fighter called out American boxer Devin 'The Dream' Haney, saying "he's next on my list".
"I have seen footage of his fights, I know his weakness," he said.
This brings Nakathila’s record to 25 fights, 19 knockouts and two losses.
Nakathila, who just last June lost to World Boxing Organisation junior lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, wasn’t planning to relive that loss, and stepped up to show the world that he is not a springboard for the former World Boxing Council world super featherweight champion Berchelt, whose nickname translates to 'The Scorpion'.
In the first round, the Namibia had an edge using a good jab, and in the third, a hit from Nakathila on the chin dropped Berchelt for an eight-count from referee Russell Mora. In the fourth, Nakathila continued to dominate.
In the fifth round, Berchelt came back well enough to take the round. But in the sixth round, Nakathila knocked the Mexican's mouth guard out with a solid right on the chin. In between rounds, Berchelt's corner called to stopped the fight.
'I made it look easy'
"I was going to knock him out or put him to sleep in a bad way," Nakathila said in his post-fight interview.
"I know what I have. I knew it would be difficult for him to reach the 10th round. It wasn't so easy, but I made it look easy."
Facing Nakathila was supposed to be the life raft Berchelt needed after coming off a stoppage loss to Oscar Valdez and moving up to lightweight.
"I'm a little bit surprised," Berchelt said about the stoppage. "Thought I was in condition to continue, but the referee decided to stop the fight. He's the ultimate authority. I have to respect that, but I wanted to continue."
Meanwhile, the Namibian fighter called out American boxer Devin 'The Dream' Haney, saying "he's next on my list".
"I have seen footage of his fights, I know his weakness," he said.
This brings Nakathila’s record to 25 fights, 19 knockouts and two losses.
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