OUTAPI – Namibia’s International Boxing Federation (IBF) International Featherweight champion, Gottlieb Ndokosho was dethroned of his title in front of a packed arena at Outapi’s Olufuko Centre on Saturday.
His conqueror, the streetwise South African Oscar Chauke, sent many local boxing enthusiasts into mourning, as the prestigious IBF International title exchanged hands in a no-holds barred battle that kept the spectators on the edge of their seats through the gruelling 12 rounds of blood, sweat and tears.
Chauke now 33 (12)-9 (1) took the initiative to the Namibian, as he unleashed some telling jabs and uppercuts to garner the much-needed points in the opening four rounds with all judges on the ringside giving the marauding South African the nod.
Sensing danger, Ndokosho came out with guns blazing at the start of both the fifth and sixth rounds. The large crowd responded in a pre-celebratory fashion falsely believing that their favourite homeboy was eventually coming out of his cocoon to jealously guard his coveted belt.
The Namibian defeated the strong Georgian Kahkaber Avetesia almost two years ago to win the title but this time around, the clearly rusty Ndokosho was to meet his match in Chauke.
The long absence from competitive fighting took a toll on the Namibian boxer, as he was bamboozled with a combination of quick punches by his better prepared opponent Chauke, a two-time IBF world title challenger.
The latter took total control in round 7 and 8 in convincing fashion to silence the large gathering at the Olufuko centre – leaving his opponent to cut a pathetic figure.
In round 8, Ndokosho was clearly off balance, as he developed jelly legs and seemed off balance. His antics confirmed earlier reports that he has not trained properly for his title defence.
Despite these speculations, Ndokosho appeared hungrier and desperate to give the South Africa a good run for his money. However, his tactics were quickly read and thwarted by Chauke.
In the tenth round Ndokosho’s left eye was swollen and his legs became rubbery, as his punches swung wildly in the air and missed their target.
The final round saw the South African coming out in full force peppering the champion with a combination of powerful hurting punches leaving his blooded opponent in total confusion.
Although the former IBF International Featherweight king came out charging in round 9, he lost hugely in the last 3 rounds (10, 11 and 12) to the disappointment of the Namibians who had packed the Olufuko centre in front of their Mayor and Swapo’s coordinator by unanimously winning the title.
By the time the hoot went off after the 12th round – it was a forgone conclusion who the winner was and those who doubted stayed just curious to know the points margin, with Chauke rightfully declared the winner via a overwhelming scorecard of 117-110, 119-108 and 116 to 111 to be crowned the new IBF International Featherweight champion.
Chauke described the fight as one of his best and toughest bouts, saying Ndokosho is a good boxer but who lacks boxing skills.
Promoter Kinda Nangolo described the fight as one of the greatest he has ever promoted adding that Ndokosho was good on the night but his opponent better.
Albinus Felesianu of Namibia is the new WBF Inter-Continental Lightweight champion following his seventh round technical knock out (TKO) against an out of sorts Humbulani Nechamchezi.
Five local boxers featured in under card bouts and all ended on the winning side – much to the excitement of the large crowd.
The much-anticipated non-title bout between Namibia’s Johannes Mwetupunga and Botswana’s Moses Kamera lasted just over a minute after an accidental clash of heads – leaving the result to be declared a technical draw.