…inches closer to world title
OUTAPI – Namibia’s World Boxing Organization (WBO) International Lightweight champion Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses has stepped closer to the world title, after Saturday night’s performance that saw several professional boxers claiming their stakes in astonishing fashion.
Besides lacking his usual sharpness and aggression at times, Hitman put up a courageous performance and did just enough to ensure he successfully defends his WBO International Lightweight crown against Argentinean opponent Cristian Rafael Coria on Saturday night at the Olufuko Centre in Outapi.
After a sluggish first 6 opening rounds, Hitman finally moved into high gear as from the 7th and 8th rounds, depositing some well-calculated head and body hooks coupled with decent uppercuts, that had the Argentinean on the back foot most of the time. Despite Coria killing Hitman’s vibe with his constant runs, holding and many a times also avoiding a face-to-face confrontation, Hitman was efficient and sometimes brutal in dismantling Gonzales whenever the chance arose. With Coria being a very strong puncher, Hitman knew what to do and proved just too smart for his opponent as he continued to land good combinations, which were complemented by his mean right hand.
Hitman’s quick backtracking style of fight and unexpected attacks, seemingly confused Coria and by the time the fight entered the last quarter, the Argentinean seemed to have lost spirit as the more effective Hitman continued to unleash accurate head and body hooks, doubling the action with lethal jabs. And as earlier promised, the former Namibian lightweight world champion made Coria look just like he said he would – like his other opponents, who came and left Namibia with nothing but their luggage.
Fighting in the main supporting bout, WBO Africa Lightweight champion Martin Haikali didn’t even get a chance to shed an ounce of sweat when he made easy work of his fight against the out-of-sorts Tekeshe Kabwe from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by dispatching the Congolese after just 1-minute, 51-seconds of action in the opening round to retain his title in impressive fashion.
In another heated affair, prominent South African boxing judge-cum-referee Jaap van Nieuwenhuizen had to stop Julius Indongo’s fight against Joel Mwelwa within just 2-minutes, 17-seconds into the first round as he could not stand seeing the Congolese being humiliated further by Indongo’s merciless punches. In the undercard results, Sakaria Lukas defeated Iilunga Kabwe of the DRC won an unanimous decision victory in a 6-rounder featherweight fight, while Jafet Utoni Kapapu returned the compliment to his compatriot by trouncing Lukusa Kashindi via a first round knockout in the Flyweight division over 6 rounds.
In the Bantamweight division, Johannes Simon easily waltzed past compatriot Abner Mwafangeyo on points, while Jeremia Nakathila saw off Manfred Haimbanga on points in another all-Namibian affair during their Junior Lightweight bout over 4 rounds, with Kapena Hamunyela scoring a majority decision victory against Emmanuel Mungandjela in their 4-rounder Junior Welterweight bout.
By Otniel Hembapu