Namibian welterweight boxer Charles Shinima has confidently declared victory ahead of his highly anticipated World Boxing Council Africa title bout against South Africa’s Brendon Thyssen.

Shinima is set to face Thyssen this Saturday at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg for the vacant WBC Africa title. 

With an impressive professional record of 19 fights, 18 wins and just one loss, the 32-year-old is eager to make a statement this weekend. 

In an interview, Shinima said he is well-prepared and has been fully committed to training since finding out about the fight. 

While he has studied his opponent’s footage, he remains unimpressed. 

“I am ready. That’s all I can say for now. I have been training hard over the past few months. Ever since I was informed about this fight, I have practically lived in the gym,” he said.

“It’s going to be an exciting match for fans tuning in. I can already predict the outcome. I know my opponent inside out based on what I’ve seen. Trust me, I won’t give him a chance. I don’t think this fight will last long. I might finish him in the first few rounds,” Shinima added.

His coach Imms Moses remarked that his fighter is in peak condition. 

“He has trained like never before. He is in the best shape of his career and fully focused on winning the WBC Africa title. Thyssen is a tough opponent, but Shinima is ready to make his mark and walk away as the new champion on 1 March,” he said this week. 

Shinima’s last fight took place on 14 September 2024 when he secured a third-round technical knockout victory over Stefanus Kakololo Josua. 

His only professional defeat came on 22 March 2024 against Denis Nurja in Tirana, Albania, where he retired due to an injury in the fourth round. 

Notably, he boasts 12 career knockouts.

Thyssen holds a record of 17 wins, four losses and one draw, with 17 knockouts in 22 bouts. 

His most recent fight was on 16 December 2023 when he defeated Sherif Kasongo via a fourth-round technical knockout in Lusaka, Zambia.

– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na