Namibian boxer Sakaria ‘Desert Storm’ Lukas is set to take on undefeated American powerhouse Maliek ‘Maheim’ Montgomery in a high-stakes, 10-round super featherweight showdown in Atlanta on 22 November. 

Eyeing a shot at a title in the division, Lukas is leaving no stone unturned as he prepares with his trainer and promoter Immanuel ‘AC’ Moses and American trainer Kay Koroma, who has worked with the best like American World Boxing lightweight champion Shakur Stevenson, American boxers Adrian Roach and former unified super featherweight world champion Mikaela Mayer at the famed Knucklehead Boxing Gym in Las Vegas.

The 40-year-old veteran has seen it all in his 29-fight career – 26 wins, two losses and 1 draw.

 But he knows the road to glory is never easy, especially when going up against a fighter like Montgomery, who is coming in hot with a perfect record of 19 wins and 17 knockouts. 

Lukas is no stranger to adversity. However, despite his success in the ring, he is yet to conquer the American soil, suffering setbacks against Raymond Ford in November 2022 and Isaac Avelar in December 2020. But this time, he is out to change the narrative. 

His last victory, a dominant win over Zimbabwe’s Patson Mutengwa in October 2023, proved that the Namibian champion still has plenty left in the tank. 

And he is heading into this bout with nothing but laser focus and a burning desire to win.

On the other side of the ring, the 29-year-old Montgomery is on a roll. 

The knockout artist has left a trail of fallen opponents, most recently defeating Oscar Escandon of Colombia on 30 August, and Mexican boxer Cesar Juarez on 28 June. 

The fight is shaping up to be one for the ages for the Namibian, and it is all set to unfold on the grand stage of Atlanta. 

With Overtime Boxing backing the event, the stakes are higher than ever. 

-lmupetami@nepc.com.na