… Beast master tames wayward Tanzanian
GOBABIS – Last weekend’s eagerly awaited boxing confrontation between Namibia’s cruiserweight boxer Vikapita “Beast Master” Meroro and Said Mbelwa from Tanzania is a bout that will leave tongues wagging for a very long time.
The spacious Wennie Du Plessis High School Hall in Gobabis was a hive of activity when local professional boxers descended on the eastern capital for a boxing fiesta last Saturday, but the much-anticipated main bout featuring Meroro and Mbelwa resembled a Boswell Wilkie Circus in show with the Tanzanian clown resorting to showboating and all sorts of shenanigans in the book of tricks normally not associated with professional boxing.
From the onset it was crystal clear that the Namibian would finish the assignment within the distance as he peppered his clearly out of sorts opponent with deadly body blows that left the Tanzanian running for cover.
Meroro who weighed in at 95.00 kilogrammes to Mbelwa’s 81.05 kilogrammes was way too strong for his opponent and one could not help but feel pity for the poor Tanzanian.
Namibia’s award winning referee Timo Haikjonda issued a stern warning to Mbelwa but the thick-hide Tanzanian would not budge as he continued with his clowning in the ring – forcing Haikonda to signal the end of the contest and subsequently disqualify Mbelwa for lack of discipline and insubordination.
Former national lightweight champion Jatoorora “The Sting” Tjingaveta made a welcome return to the ring after a lengthy absence. Tjingaveta demonstrated once again why he is rated as the most gifted professional boxer in the business when he completely took the equally impressive Tommy Hango to the cleaners in their welterweight non-title bout in what can be easily described as the best bout on the night.
The Sting, who fought in the welterweight division for the first time, deservedly won by a unanimous points decision after eight rounds of blood, sweat and tears.
In other under card bouts, Rafael Iita made a successful professional debut in the junior lightweight division when he waltzed past Kapena Hamutenya with a majority decision over four rounds, while Natanael Kamati had the better of the proceedings in his super bantamweight non-title six-rounder against Abner Mwafangeyo on points.
Steven Shimbonde made short work of his junior welterweight exhibition bout against Jason Mashala via a 1st round technical knockout (TKO). The super bantamweight four-rounder between debutant Isaac Anyela and Onesmus Nekundi ended in a majority stalemate after four rounds.
Walter Kuutondokwa defeated Immanuel Hamatwi by a 1st round TKO in the catchweight division and Sebastian Natanael saw off Rocky Haraseb with a 2nd round TKO after the latter refused to come out of his corner for the resumption of the 3rd round for their junior lightweight four-rounder.
Sebby Sheuyange remains winless after two attempts in the paid ranks after losing on points against Manfred Haimbinga in their junior lightweight non-title bout over four rounds.
By Carlos Kambaekwa