WINDHOEK – Namibia’s only female boxing promoter and Harry Simon’s spokesperson Anita Tjombe yesterday jumped to the defence of Namibia’s two-time world champion, following fierce criticism amid calls for Simon to retire.
Some people claim Simon is physically and medically unfit to continue boxing. But despite the unfavorable judgments, a sharp-tongued Tjombe remained unfazed and insisted that Simon is in the best shape of his life and can be expected to take on more fights for another two years. After his somewhat unimpressive victory against Geard Ajetovic from Serbia, which saw the man now christened the ‘Hurricane’ capture the International Boxing Federation (IBF) International Light Heavyweight title, many boxing critics started questioning Harry’s physical and medical condition, mainly as a result of the multiple injuries he sustained in the past, including one in 2002. During yesterday’s exclusive interview with New Era Sports, Tjombe rubbished claims that Harry is not medically and physically fit to continue boxing even for another two years, saying his injury in the fight against Ajetovic was just a minor muscle injury and not a bone fracture as many thought.
Promoter Kinda Nangolo, who also co-promotes Harry’s fights joined Tjombe and said Harry is still strong enough to reach the top level of his once blossoming boxing career. Simon was involved in two serious car accidents, which resulted in fatalities. The latest one in 2002 also saw him sustain serious injuries, while he also served jail time. Three Belgian tourists – two adults and a baby – died in the collision with Simon’s Mercedes-Benz. On August 5, 2005 Simon was given a two-year jail sentence after he was found guilty of “culpable homicide” stemming from the November 2002 car accident that resulted in the deaths of the three Belgian nationals. Simon began serving his two year prison sentence on 9 July 2007 after losing the appeal of his 2005 conviction.
Following his release from jail in 2009, Simon launched a comeback in June 2012, recording several wins including one against journeyman Ruben Groenewald just after 1:23 seconds into the first round of their fight after knocking him down twice. Simon turned pro in 1994 and won the WBO Light Middleweight title in 1998 by defeating Winky Wright. He defended it four times against Kevin Lueshing, Enrique Areco, Rodney Jones and Wayne Alexander. He later captured the WBO Middleweight title against Sweden’s Armand Krajnc in a 12-round unanimous decision. Not being able to defend it due to the injuries he sustained in the accidents, he was later stripped of the belt.
By Otniel Hembapu