After almost 25 years in the game, veteran pugilist and Namibia’s former World Boxing Organisation (WBO) Africa middleweight champion, Lukas ‘The Demolisher’ Ndafoluma, has finally hung up his gloves. 

He confirmed this news in an interview this week.

“I have officially retired, although I haven’t put out a statement on that, but I am taking this opportunity to inform my fans and the boxing enthusiasts that the Demolisher hung up his gloves after many years of exchanging leathers,” he said.

He thanked and paid tribute to various stakeholders and individuals who backed him while active.

He said, without their support, he would not have come this far. 

The former African champion said the discipline he learned through boxing enabled him to succeed in life and travel the world.

Ndafoluma challenged upcoming boxers to work closely with their promoters.

“Being disciplined is key in this business. Always listen to your trainers and promoters, who are the makers of the game. It’s not the boxers who make the promoters, but the promoters who make a good boxer. So, to all up-and-coming boxers, I plead with you to work with the promoters and respect them,” he stressed.

He revealed that, at the moment, he has secured a job, which is keeping him busy as he transitions into life after boxing. 

He urged fellow boxers to invest in education rather than depending solely on the sport.

“Boxing is a short career. One day, it comes to an end, so education is very important. If you invest in yourself through education, you will have something to fall back on when the sport is no longer there,” he advised.

The former MTC Salute boxer walks away after 25 fruitful years, during which he collected medals at amateur, regional and continental level. 

He retires with a record of 36 bouts, 23 wins and 12 losses.

Among his accolades, Ndafoluma clinched the International Boxing Organisation All-Africa middleweight title after beating Barend van Rooyen by unanimous decision. 

In 2017, he overcame Craig Cunningham in Manchester to claim the World Boxing Council International middleweight title. 

The following year, he won the vacant World Boxing Federation Intercontinental middleweight crown by defeating compatriot Ebenestus Kaangundue in Swakopmund. 

In 2021, he defended his WBO Africa middleweight strap after outclassing Malawi’s Simeon Tcheta at the Windhoek Country Club.

His last fight was in July last year when he squared off against Solomon Adebayor in Lagos, Nigeria, where he lost by total knock out.

Throughout his career, the revered boxer fought opponents from Zimbabwe, South Africa, Malawi, Nigeria, Turkey, Russia, the United Kingdom, Zambia, Kazakhstan, China and many other parts of the world.

– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na