Martin de Porres Mukungu
Date of birth: 12 February 1998
Place of birth: Nyangana, Kavango East Region
Nickname: Alligator
Current Club: After School Boxing Academy
Previous Club/s: None
Quickly take us through your journey: how did you get into boxing, and what inspired you to pursue a career in boxing?
I started boxing in 2017 – and to be quite honest, I have always dreamt of becoming a well-known and successful boxer. I used to read articles about all these prominent boxers, and it made me fall in love with the sport. I later decided to seriously take it up, as I also realised I could earn a living out of boxing for myself and my family.
You turned professional a few years ago; how has the journey been in the paid ranks, and what are some of the challenges?
It has not been that easy, as I had to sacrifice a lot of things in my life. I dedicate my whole life training and bettering myself as a boxer. The most challenging part that I have faced was getting enough support from established boxers in the country – not in a monetary way but in terms of knowledge and learning from their experience. I am, however, grateful for my team and coaches, as they continue to push me to work beyond my limits.
Who would you say has inspired your boxing career the most?
The legendary Mohammed Ali has always been my biggest inspiration. I always looked up to him while growing up, and he is the one person who made me fall deeply in love with boxing. His life story and all the success as well as contributions he made to boxing and the world as a whole ignited the fire in me to become the person that I am today. If you look at my style, I imitate Ali so much.
What would you say are some of your biggest career highlights since turning professional?
The highlight of my career would be winning the national title last year, although it is not the biggest of things that one can celebrate – but I would say that achievement opened my eyes and gave me confidence to know that anything in life is possible. You can achieve anything as long as you put your mind to it.
Which would you say is your most memorable fight?
I think my best fight was when I first won the national featherweight title against Emmanuel Jason last year. It felt good to win the title and become a champion. I have always wanted to be one – and when I did, I felt so happy.
What is your most disappointing fight?
It was when I lost to Fillipus Nghitumbwa in 2020. I felt so bad I had lost the very important bout of my life. However, I believe it was a learning curve, and I have since improved very much as a boxer.
Who are your favourite local and international boxers?
Internationally, it will always be the late great Mohammed Ali – and locally, I would say myself, as I believe I am the best.
If not boxing, which other sport would you have chosen?
I doubt I would have done any other sport in my life – because for me, I fell in love with boxing at a young age, and it is the only sport that I knew growing up. I am really not sure which sport I would have taken up if it was not boxing.
You have been very dominant on the local boxing scene, are you planning to fight for a continental title soon?
Yes, it is on the radar, as we are discussing it with my team. We have dominated the local scene, and we believe it is now time for us to fight better boxers who are worth challenging. We are actually in talks to compete for a continental title, and we are hoping and praying it will materialise.
As someone who came through the various development ranks of local boxing, what do you think needs to be done to unearth more talent from within the regions?
More tournaments should be organised in regions to give upcoming talents an opportunity to gauge themselves. We have a lot of talent in the regions – and if we can avail more opportunities to them at a young age, I promise you we will have many champions in the country.
Generally, are you happy with the current state and growth of Namibian boxing?
I am happy with the way boxing is growing in Namibia. Every year, we see titles coming into the country at continental level and world level as well, and I believe we are doing the right things and surely moving in the right direction.
What are some of your ambitions for the next five years?
Five years from now, I would like to be one of the best boxers to ever grace the ring. I would like to fight for the world title and cement myself in world boxing.