WINDHOEK – Namibia’s former World Boxing Organization (WBO) Africa lightweight champion Jatoorora ‘Sting’ Tjingaveta has signaled his ambitions to return to the peak of his boxing career, when he stylishly waltzed past Samuel ‘Hummer’ Kapapu to win their lightweight non-title fight over eight rounds of cracking action at a packed Oshikango Shopping Centre at the border town on Saturday.
Speaking to New Era Sport after his resounding victory, Tjingaveta expressed satisfaction with his overall performance, especially from the 8th round onwards. “In the first four rounds it was a bit hard as I was getting tired very quickly, but from the 8th round onwards, I got into the groove and started moving much easier. I’m very happy with my performance, because I dominated the fight and that really gives me so much confidence going forward,” said the former national lightweight champion who was out of action for almost three years. “Now I can finally say I’m back and slowly but surely returning to my usual shape. Just like I said earlier, for now I will go back to the gym, train hard and wait to see what my promoter has for me, but I’m confident bigger fights and tougher opponents are coming.”
For Kapapu, the defeat means his national lightweight title is now vacant and he will need another shot in order to retain it, because the rules state that if a title holder loses a fight, be it non-title or a title fight, his title will automatically become vacant.
In another heated encounter, Bethuel ‘Tyson’ Uushona, the WBO Africa welterweight champion also managed to score a victory in a night that was filled with fiery brawling action when he rumbled his way past the hard-hitting James Onyango from Kenya in their non-title international welterweight bout over 10 rounds.
In an all Namibian affair, Immanuel Andreki managed to trounce Manfred Haimbanga on points to come out tops in their junior lightweight bout, while Sakaria Lukas defeated Emmanuel Simbeye of Zambia via a first-round knockout in their featherweight fight.
Abner Mwafangeyo defeated Johannes Matheus on points in the bantamweight division. Also, Johannes Simon won his bantamweight fight when he defeated Onesmus Nekundi, while Walter Kuutondokwa beat Mohabi Mothiba from Botswana to win their middleweight fight. The boxing event attracted close to 2 500 people from various northern towns.
Otniel Hembapu