‘Danny Boy’ takes great pains for the youth

Namibian lightweight world champion boxer Albinius (Danny Boy) Felesianu entertained a room full of spectators on Friday night with his impressive form as he readies for a WBO fight in Windhoek within the next two months.He was going to have an exhibition fight with Namibian martial arts expert Uys ‘Kondja’ Landsberg, but the latter was a no-show.So Danny Boy instead took on two Namibian boxers, Rafael Iita and Edison ‘Bulelo’ Nghipandoka, over three rounds each, back to back. Some thought he was ‘playing’ with them, but Iita and Nghipandoka were definitely not holding back in dishing out pain to their opponent.Either way, the pain started and ended with good sportsmanship between the boxers, and to the delight of the spectators who saw the professionals strut their stuff in the ring.The main objective of the ‘Night of Pain’ boxing tournament, which was organised by Danny Boy, was not his exhibition fight, but rather for the inspiration and development of young boxers.About 40 young boxers, some as young as eight, from all over the region, came to Swakopmund to get into the ring and fight. There were some adult ‘big guns’ that also shook the ring as they punched one another, and although there were numerous notable blows over the various rounds, only one knockout was recorded.Danny Boy knows what it is like coming off the streets and fighting his way to the top, and his remarkable record of 24 fights, with 20 knockouts, two losses and a draw, speaks for itself. And this is what he hopes will inspire the many children who need a role model.“There are many kids on the street, busy killing themselves with drugs and alcohol and other destructive activities. I want to get them into the gym and becoming involved in sport and a healthy lifestyle. They can become champions,” he told Erongo 24/7.He said that life is not easy sometimes, and that it might be painful to make it, but it is possible, and he is evidence of it.“To make it in life, one must work hard and sometimes feel the pain – just never give up,” he said.The 34-year-old, who runs a boxing club in Swakopmund, said he is ready for the WBO fight in Windhoek – and that he is going to "kick some butt".“Someone is going to feel the pain,” he said.

‘Danny Boy’ takes great pains for the youth

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-13

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‘Danny Boy’ takes great pains for the youth

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Namibian Sun 2026-02-13

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