Otniel Hembapu

Namibia’s former WBO Africa featherweight champion Sakaria ‘Desert Storm’ Lukas will this coming Saturday return to the ring to challenge America’s Raymond Ford for the WBA Continental Americas featherweight title over 10 rounds at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, USA.

The 38-year-old Lukas, who last fought to a gruelling draw against Mongolia’s Tugstsogt Nyambayar in January this year, will be hoping to seize the opportunity of winning a major title away from home and hopefully earn his stripes on the international and US boxing circles. 

Their fight will form part of the Montana Love and Stevie Spark much-anticipated mega showdown slated for the same venue this Saturday. Love and Spark will square off for the vacant WBA Intercontinental super lightweight title over 12 rounds.

After suffering his only career, defeat against Mexico’s Isaac Avelar during their super featherweight fight in 2020 in the US, the veteran Namibian pugilist strongly bounced back the following year with two consecutive victories against Mexican fighters Mario Antonio Macias and Marco Alejandro Chable. 

He has since been on a good run and his latest rich vein of form was witnessed during his tightly-contested bout against the much-experienced Nyambayar, where he showed great tenacity and unmatched courage in the middle of the ring.

Lukas arrived in the US yesterday and was accompanied by his trainer and promoter Imms Moses of the AC Boxing Promotions, where they will be putting final touches to their preparations ahead of Saturday’s big fight against the equally determined Ford, who will be defending his title.