… Telecom offers N$1.8-million to stage fight
WINDHOEK – Contrary to earlier reports, Harry Simon’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) Light Heavyweight title fight against Geard Ajetovic has now been shifted to the Ramatex Factory on Saturday and not at the Sam Nujoma Stadium as announced earlier.
Speaking at a press briefing in the capital yesterday, Harry Simon’s spokesperson Anita Tjombe announced that the change of venues was necessitated by the sudden change in the wether, which has ushered in the rainy season earlier than expected with many parts of the country receiving welcome rain showers this week. Telecom Namibia, as main the sponsor of the event has pledged N$1.8 million to ensure the successful hosting of the boxing bonanza dubbed the ‘Dream Fight’, which will see Harry taking on his Serbian opponent. A likely victory could place him within touching distance of greater and more lucrative fights. In a short speech Simon, whose camp announced earlier this week that he would be fighting under a new combat moniker, ‘The Hurricane’, made it clear that he has no intention of compromising his unbeaten record of 28 wins from the similar number of bouts, saying tomorrow’s fight will be another opportunity for him to continue his winning streak.
Meanwhile, a confident Ajetovic echoed his earlier intention to abbreviate Harry’s boxing career when they lock horns tomorrow at the defunct Ramatex factory and referred derisively to him as ‘Grandpa Simon’. Also on the cards tomorrow is Gotlieb Ndokosho, who takes on Feliciano Dario Azuaga from Paraguay for the IBF Inter-continental Africa Featherweight title over 12 rounds. Ndokosho boasts with a CV of 14 wins and 3 losses from 17 bouts in the paid ranks, while his Paraguayan opponent holds a record of 84 wins, 22 losses and 2 draws from an astronomical 110 fights.
Meanwhile, Eradius ‘Pohamba’ Hamunyela will square off against South African boxer Phillip Ndou in a welterweight 8-rounder, while Paulus Kapia Petrus will come up against Lucas Mukete in the Junior Welterweight division over 6 rounds of action. Phillip Swartbooi takes on Sam Kambonde in a Lightweight 4-rounder, while George Iita will take on Mathew Kandala in the featherweight division.
Daniel ‘Open Fire’ Kashela will confront Varde ‘Swapo’ Nyambekwa over 4-rounds in the Welterweight division, while Johannes Kutumba and Costa Frans Nillo conclude the days line-up with a Featherweight bout over 4-rounds.
By Otniel Hembapu