… As boxing fever hits the north
OUTAPI – The Founding Father Dr Sam Nujoma has raised the bar ahead of this Saturday’s eagerly awaited World Boxing Organization (WBO) title bout at the Olufuko Festival Venue in Outapi.
Namibia’s first democratically elected president pledged an amount of N$10 000 towards the historic boxing fest featuring Paulus “The Hitman” Moses and some of Namibia’s leading professional boxers.
Nujoma made the gesture during a well-attended gala dinner hosted last weekend in Outapi, chaired by Omusati Regional Governor, Sophia Shaningwa, for the much anticipated title bout against Argentinean challenger Christian Rafael Cario at the Olufuko venue on Saturday.
The gala dinner was well represented as it attracted a horde of business personalities, politicians and corporate representatives from all corners of the country and surpassed all expectations when an amount of N$300 000 was secured.
The money will cover operational costs and other expenses, and organizers promised to make the evening an unchallenged success. In his keynote address Nujoma called on all Namibians to come out in large numbers to support Moses, whom he described as a “national hero”
“Boxing is the only sporting discipline that brings some pride to the Namibian nation at the moment, therefore it should be given all the support it deserves,” said Nujoma to resounding applause from the audience.
Fysal Fresh Produce made the highest pledge in the form of N$26 000, followed by Kanu Amadhila of AMA Engineering who pledged N$25 000. Also in attendance were the articulate Minister of Information Communication and Technology, Joel Kaapanda, Home Affairs and Immigration Minister Pendukeni Iivula-Ithana, as well as Omusati Regional Governor Shaningwa. The trio also made their pledges towards the staging of the bout.
The N$300 000 raised at the gala dinner excludes income from ticket sales and table fees and a total of N$1,7 million is needed to make the boxing extravaganza materialize.
Meanwhile, Moses’ opponent Cario arrived in buoyant mood in Windhoek on Sunday and immediately knuckled down to some serious business as he got himself entangled in a war of words with the Namibian title holder.
Armed with an impeccable resume of 21 wins, one defeat and one draw from 23 bouts in the paid ranks, Cario vowed to make mincemeat of his Namibian opponent. Boxing pundits believe the motor-mouth Argentinean challenger has every reason to be confident and is therefore well within his rights to brag that he would emerge victorious, but Moses is not entirely convinced and shot back. “I’m fully aware that this will be one of my toughest fights in my professional boxing career since he (Cario) boasts an impressive record. Make no mistake, the guy has only lost once in his entire boxing career and should not be taken lightly but unfortunately his record will show some patches after the fight as it will be readjusted to two losses,” charged an upbeat Moses.
“My handlers have prepared me extremely well for this bout since this is a must win fight for me if I want to remain in contention for a dream shot at the world title. I have been there and want to get back to being the world’s best because that is where I rightfully belong,” added Moses.
Cario and his manager-cum-trainer Patricio Retondero depart for Outapi on Thursday to acclimatize to the steaming conditions and also market the bout.
“It is all systems go from our side at the MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing and Fitness Academy. We have done everything in our power to promote this fight and now rely heavily on the public to come out in large numbers to support our local boxers. We want a full house so that Cario realizes that he is fighting in the Land of the Brave,” boasted Tobias.
Meanwhile, boxers from the Republic of Congo (DRC) and Zambia touched down in Windhoek yesterday for under card bouts against some of Namibia’s leading professional boxers, featuring Julius Indongo defending his WBO Africa welterweight title in what promises to be an exciting attraction prior to the main bout.
Tickets are on sale at Computicket at all Shoprite and Checkers stores countrywide for N$50.00, N$300 for VIP and N$20 for children. Tickets can also be obtained from Okalongo Hafeni Ketu 2000, Oshakati Tafel Bar and Outapi Dinhero Pub. Contact: Jason Petrus on 0812443223 or Peter Kanu on 0811221753.
By Nuusita Ashipala