World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan African super bantamweight champion Mateus ‘The Beast’ Heita, who was initially set to defend his title against Jonas Matheus on 28 May at the Kuisebmond Stadium in Walvis Bay, has now been accorded an opportunity to take a bite at the bigger cherry.
Promoter Nestor Tobias yesterday announced that the latest changes to their programme will now see Heita and Matheus square off for the WBO Africa super bantamweight title as well as for Heita’s WBA Pan African title that was already on the line.
Tobias said the newly added continental title makes the fight bigger and better for both boxers, which will see the winner of the two titles automatically moving within the WBO top-15 world rankings and also in touching distance of mega fights on the global stage.
“Nothing gets bigger and better than this – two titles up for grabs from the world’s biggest two sanctioning bodies, WBO and WBA. That’s big, and I wish them both all the best for the contest,” said Tobias.
The fight will be the main bout for this month’s ‘Together as One Part 7 Boxing Bonanza at Walvis Bay, which will also see Fillipus Shaanika taking on Julius Sheefeni for the national super bantamweight title over 10 rounds, while Lineekela Nghifindaka and Ambrosius Kemunini will be squaring off in the junior lightweight division over four rounds.
The young and talented Max Ipinge will also be in action on the night when he goes toe-to-toe with Thomas Jerobeam in the super middleweight over four rounds, while Nestor Thomas and Nashilongo Tiofelus will both be striving to improve their records when they trade blows on the night in the bantamweight category.
Amongst the many match-ups scheduled for the night, the stylish Martin Mukungu will also take to the ring against the equally dangerous John Herman in the featherweight division over six rounds, which will also see Frederick Nghutenanye strutting his stuff against Immanuel Jason also in the featherweight division but over four rounds.
VIP tickets are selling for N$200, and general tickets are going for N$50 and N$20 for kids, while VVIP tables seating over 10 people are selling for N$15 000 each, inclusive of drinks and meals for the night.
- ohembapu@nepc.com.na