…not related to ACC probe
WINDHOEK – The much-hyped World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Light Heavyweight title fight between Wilberforce ‘Black Mamba’ Shihepo and South Africa’s Johnny Muller, which was initially scheduled for February 15 has been postponed.
Rumours were rife yesterday that the postponement of the fight was caused by Shihepo’s recent unlawful petrol card usage scandal that saw the bulky pugilist being granted bail of N$3 000 with strict bail conditions attached, but promoter Nestor Tobias rubbished the speculations and maintains that the postponement is simply due to structural damage to the original fight venue in South Africa, which forced both promoters to shift the fight date to March 01.
As part of his bail conditions, Shihepo who recently appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court on charges of alleged fraud and corruption, was ordered not to interfere with witnesses and to inform the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) investigators if he wishes to travel outside the country.
According to an ACC report, the hard-punching boxer who currently holds the WBO African Super Middleweight crown, was caught almost red-handed when he unlawfully filled up his private vehicle with a government petrol card.
However, with Shihepo now taking on Muller on March 01 in a fight that is expected to be broadcast live on SuperSport, the postponement also means Shihepo’s fight will be staged exactly the same evening as Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses’ fight in Outapi.
But Tobias said the convergence of the dates will not be a huge problem. “We are a big and experienced team, made easier by the fact that we have the luxury of MTC’s capable team who are experts in planning and organizing events, so this will be a piece of cake for us,” Tobias said. “Shihepo’s fight will take place in South Africa, Johannesburg at the Emperors Palace, while Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses’ fight will take place in Outapi at the Olufuko Cultural Centre. Both boxers are in excellent shape and we look forward to making history on the 1st of March 2014,” he concluded.
By Otniel Hembapu