South Africa’s featherweight boxer Abdul-Aziz Kunert has ominously stated that his opponent will soon learn that he is not to be played with. 

He is determined to systematically dismantle his current ratings and relieve him of his championship title this coming Saturday.

Kunert made these remarks during a face-off event in Windhoek yesterday. 

The 30-year-old Cape Town native will square off against Mateus Heita in a supporting bout on Saturday.

 The two will battle it out in an exciting World Boxing Organisation Africa featherweight title fight.

Speaking on the sidelines after the press conference, he started by thanking his team and local promoter Nestor Tobias for making the fight possible, which he said was a blessing.

The fighter, who boasts an impressive 16 fights with 12 wins and three losses, said he is aware of what he is up against.

However, Heita is not fazed by what he saw. 

“I have watched some of his videos. I can say he is a good fighter. I think he and I will work this in the ring,” he added.

“But I would say I respect him as a boxer. But truth be told, come Saturday, I am going to strip off his title and ranking. He would be just another boxer from here,” Heita said.

Meanwhile, his opponent did not say much about the fight.

 “We have put in so much work for the past few months – thanks to my team and promoter. I think I am ready now for this fight. The talking will be done in the ring,” he said.

This fight will be held in honour of the late president, Sam Nujoma. 

Tobias said the fight is free, and tickets are available at various outlets. 

“Interested fans can contact us, The Namibian, the Namibian Broadcasting Corporation, New Era and some of our guys to get yourself a ticket. This is to honour the founding president, who made it possible for us to even host an event of such kind,” he said. 

Another boxer, Peter Kotze, said the late founding father fought for Namibia’s freedom, and built the foundation for peace and stability.

“Dr Nujoma’s leadership has made it possible for us to compete at international levels. For that, I am forever grateful. As a young boy, I was inspired by his wisdom and passion. Now, I am living my dream to represent Namibia at the Olympics, and one day win a world title. On Saturday, I am going to step into the ring, show my skills and entertain all the fans in honour of our founding father,” he said.

Fillipus ‘Energy’ Nghitumbwa, who will headline the bout against Zimbabwe’s Hassan Milanzi, stated that his focus was already shifting to future opponents.

“I am happy that my opponent accepted this fight. For me, this is light work. I would like to finish this fight early and go home. My mind is more on whom I’ll fight next – someone better than him,” Nghitumbwa added.

Milanzi responded by saying “every boxer is beatable. We have seen undefeated boxers lose, so what makes you think it would be hard to beat you?”

Paulinus Ndjolonimus, who will square off against Snamiso Ntuli of South Africa, said he knows his opponent, and is ready to handle him. 

“I want to thank my sponsors for making this happen. It has been hard to get an opponent, but he accepted my fight. I want to urge boxing fans across the country to come in numbers, and see how I will handle him,” he said. 

All the fights on the night:

15h00 – Paulus Filipus vs Salaties Moses (Featherweight, 4 Rounds)

15h20 – Andreas Shikongo vs Gabriel Shimweefeleni (Super Welterweight, 4 Rounds)

15h40 – Joy Nangolo vs Phillipus Matheus (Superfly, 4 Rounds)

16h00 – Sem Mathew vs Andreas Endjala (Featherweight, 6 Rounds)

16h30 – Tangeni Salomon vs Reinhold Matheus (Lightweight, 4 Rounds)

16h50 – Max Iipinge vs Martin Simasku (Heavyweight, 6 Rounds)

17h20 – Martin Mukungu vs Silas Shangwadjua (Junior Lightweight, 6 Rounds)

17h50 – Nestor Thomas vs Teofilus Nashilongo (Bantamweight, 6 Rounds)

18h20 – Alfeus Shaanika vs Erastus Filemon (Junior Welterweight, 6 Rounds)

18h50 – Erastus Shapaka vs Festus Simon (Superflyweight National Title, 10 Rounds)

19h30 – Lineekela Nghifindaka vs Immanuel Andeleki (Junior Lightweight, 6 Rounds)

20h00 – Fredrick Nghutunanye vs David Shinuna (National Featherweight Title, 10 Rounds)

20h40 – Naftalie Sheyapo vs TBA (International Heavyweight, 6 Rounds)

21h00 – Matheus Heita vs Abdulazi Kunert (WBO Africa Featherweight)

22h00 – Paulinus Ndjolonimus vs Snamiso Ntuli (Super Middleweight, 12 Rounds)

23h00 – Fillipus “Energy” Nghitumbwa vs Hassan Milanzi (WBO Africa Super Bantamweight, 12 Rounds)

– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na

Photo: Heather Erdmann