Windhoek
Martin ‘Black Poison’ Haikali has been thrown another lifeline as the hard-punching Namibian boxer secured a career-defining bout in Leeds, United Kingdom, on the 16th of this month.
Haikali will step into the ring to face Dave Ryan for the vacant Commonwealth junior welterweight title.
Haikali boasts a record of 18 victories and six defeats from 24 fights in the paid ranks, while his opponent is the holder of a patchy résumé comprising 17 wins and 9 losses from 27 bouts.
“This chance came at an opportune time for Haikali, since he has been focused despite the fact that no fight was in the offing, but the boy has always given 100% during training sessions in the gym,” says Haikali’s handler Nestor Tobias, adding that his protégé was put on alert for a fight.
“That sort of commitment and discipline ensures a boxer is always well prepared, fit and ready to ruffle feathers at any given time,” he charged. He added that the bout would offer a respectable title contest with a likely victory to improve his world ranking.
Haikali himself was excited about the opportunity since this will be his first fight beyond Namibian borders.
“It’s an honour to go and fight in the UK (Leeds) for such an appetizing title bout. I’m fit and raring to go. I will give it my best shot to clinch this title, because I know that opportunities like this don’t come every day and will therefore do my level best to do my country proud,” says the ebony skinned boxer.