Age: 27
Favourite local boxer: Former boxer Paulus Ambunda
Favourite international boxer: Roy Jones Jr
The upcoming Together as One Boxing Bonanza promises an intriguing lineup, and one of the boxers to watch is none other than Nestor Thomas.
With nine undefeated professional fights under his belt, Thomas is set to face Jonathan Kasheeta in a highly- anticipated six-round bantamweight title fight at the Windhoek Country Club this Saturday.
This publication had the privilege of sitting down with Thomas to delve into his boxing journey, and his aspirations for the next five years.
Thomas, a former national champion, IBF champion, Africa champion, and IBO International Champion, hails from Swakopmund, and
trains at the MTC Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness
Academy. His journey into boxing began at the tender age of nine, but it wasn’t always his first love.
“I started playing football first,” he recalled, “but I hated being benched. One day, I came across a roadshow in Swakopmund where former boxer Ambunda was visiting. They were sparring, and when I saw how fast he was moving, I decided right there and then that I wanted to be just like him. I didn’t know much about boxing, but I started watching Ambunda and South Africa’s Hekkie Budler fight.
“Ambunda is short, but he can punch. When I started out as an amateur, he was already a professional. We are both bantamweight fighters. I was also in one of his training camps, and got a chance to spar with him. He is a really nice and humble guy, and I really look up to him.”
However, not everyone in Thomas’s life has been supportive of his boxing career. “My family is still not supportive of the fact that I took up boxing,” he admitted. “My mom wanted me to become a footballer. Boxing is a tough sport. When we spar, we go all out and really punch each other; there is nothing for show. But that makes us tough to the punches. Maybe my family doesn’t want to see me getting punched hard. But this is what I love.
“Football is a team sport, but boxing is an individual sport. Whatever happens in the ring is entirely up to you. You cannot blame anyone. So, you put in extra effort to be the best that you want to be. Even though my family doesn’t come and watch my fights, my friends’ support pushes me. I just hope that my family can have a change of heart one day because I don’t think I would have been alive if it was not for the protection of the gym. I was a very naughty teenager, and boxing helped me and gave me direction. I want a career out of boxing. It can happen,” shared Thomas.
The boxer is optimistic about the future of boxing in Namibia. “I believe the sport is moving in the right direction. We still need more funding to reach the level of our international rivals, but there is improvement. The recognition is growing as well, with initiatives like the recently-launched boxing awards. You can see how motivated boxers are just to be part of this.”
His dedication to the sport is evident in his rigorous training schedule. “I train three times a day, twice a week, usually on Tuesdays and Thursdays. My focus is mainly on cardio for weight loss, but physical conditioning is the most important part of my routine.”
When it comes to potential opponents, Thomas doesn’t shy away from a challenge. “I am the national champion in my weight class. Anyone who holds a world title or African title is welcome to step into the ring with me,” he declared confidently.
Reflecting on his boxing career, he shared a valuable lesson he learned from amateur Algerian boxer Mohammed Fillisi while trying to qualify for the Olympics. “The Algerian boxer I fought was taller, so it was awkward for me. That experience taught me never to allow a tall opponent to hit me first. Other than that, I haven’t yet met my match professionally.”
Despite his successes, he acknowledges the challenges boxers face, particularly the lack of personal sponsors and training gear. “But we hustle,” he said with determination.
Looking ahead, Thomas is clear about his ambitions. “In the next five years, I want to fight among the world’s best boxers out there.”
When asked about his personal preferences, Thomas shared some of his favourites:
Favourite food? Pasta
Pap and vleis or KFC? Pap and vleis
Water or Coke? Water
Favourite travel destination? The United States of America