Maqonda Ndlovu
The organiser of the 11th edition of the Together as One boxing bonanza, Nestor Tobias, of the Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy, says it is all systems go for this final edition of this year, scheduled for this coming Saturday at Country Club.
Tobias informed New Era Sport yesterday that everything is now in place at the venue, with the final touches of logistics being completed, while South African challenger Thatho Bonokoane is expected to arrive tomorrow for the fight.
“We will have the face-off between the two boxers Thatho and ‘Energy’ (Fillipus Nghitumbwa) at the Ministry of Sport, Youth and National Service offices,” Tobias said.
The two boxers will be vying for the vacant World Boxing Organisation Africa Super Bantamweight Title over 12 rounds.
He added that preparations have been going smoothly, with sparring and technical training going well for the Namibian boxer, who is on a road to redemption, following his loss to John Casemiro early this year.
Tobias added that Nghitumbwa is currently the ‘best boxer in Africa’, hence the need for him to prove it by winning against the South African and regaining his top 15 or top 10 world ranking.
“Every fight is very important for any boxer. Our ‘Lion’ is ready to mix with the big boys. We want him in the top 15, but more preferably in the top 10 or five, so we can make him a mandatory challenger for the world title. He deserves that opportunity to fight for world titles,” he said.
The founder of the Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy added that plans are already afoot to either have Nghitumbwa fight for a world title eliminator or challenge for the world title because they are confident of victory – come Saturday.
He added that Namibian boxing promoters are struggling to mobilise resources to make big fights – let alone host big fights like world titles, because of a lack of television rights, which then injects money into the sport.
This, he said, was made so by the lack of recognition of boxing in Namibia by relevant stakeholders.
“Unfortunately, in Namibia, boxing is not recognised or given the respect it deserves by authorities. Namibian boxers don’t get nominated for sports awards, yet they fight in the biggest arenas in the world. ‘Energy’s’ fight with Casemiro was watched by over two million people worldwide. Nakathila (Jeremiah) fought and won in America, but he was not included in the nominations. It’s disrespectful to the sport of boxing,” Tobias fumed.
Meanwhile, Tobias has revealed the card for Together as One Part 11, which will feature 10 bouts, with the main attraction being the Nghitumbwa versus Bonokoane fight.
Other notable bouts include Martin Mukungu, who will clash against Magrete Nepembe in the four-round Junior Lightweight division, while Alfeus Shaanika will face Sakaria Amutja in the Welterweight division over eight rounds.
The highlight of the evening will be the women’s exhibition boxing match between Lukisha van Wyk and Mellisa Sekela, which is expected to open doors for women’s boxing to be legalised in Namibia.