WINDHOEK – After easily brushing aside Kenyan opponent Daniel Wanyonyi via a 6th round knockout during their World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa Super Middleweight title fight, Namibia’s hard-punching pugilist Wilberforce ‘Black Mamba’ Shihepo is determined to stop at nothing in his quest to claim a world title and plans to move a step up the ladder when he confronts Johnny Muller of South Africa.
Shihepo, who holds a record of 21 wins, with 7 losses and an incredible 16 knockouts to his credit from 28 fights and is the reigning WBO Africa Super Middleweight champion, will challenge Muller for the World Boxing Council (WBC) Silver Light Heavyweight title, in Johannesburg, South Africa on February 15.
Muller is the proud custodian of 15 wins, with 3 losses and 2 draws from 20 fights, while he has 12 knockouts attached to his fairly impressive CV.
Meanwhile, internationally acclaimed boxing promoter Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias said Shihepo is in good shape and ready to rumble with the much younger South African.
An upbeat Tobias believes that Shihepo, who is known for his aggressive slugging style, will knock the hell out of Muller and promised that the 31-year old Namibian will definitely leave his footprints in the annals of South African boxing after the fight with Muller.
“It’s going to be a big year for Namibian boxers and I can’t imagine anybody stopping them right now as witnessed by the exploits of all our boxers last year. I said it before and I will say it again, I will make sure all our boxers get a chance to represent Namibia on the international stage, through hard work of course, as proved last year but this year we will make it much bigger and better,” boasted a confident Tobias.
It is a well known fact that not many African boxers will risk trading punches with gigantic and merciless Shihepo but Muller has opted to have none of that and is said to be ready to go toe to toe with the Namibian over 12 rounds.
By Otniel Hembapu