Award-winning boxing promoter and trainer Nestor “Sunshine” Tobias has high hopes for the new year, including getting some of his fighters to get a world title shot.
Tobias acknowledged 2020 was tough for his stable due to the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, which limited international travel.
Tobias has over the last decade enjoyed good success locally and internationally, with some of his boxers impressing on the world stage.
The likes of Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses, Paulus Ambunda as well as Julius Indongo winning world titles. In an interview with New Era, Tobias said his plans for 2021 are clear as he wants to raise the bar even higher, including getting young sensation Jeremia Nakathila a world title shot.
“Our plans for 2021 are clear, we want to give Nakathila a shot at the world title. Whether he fights Herring, Frampton or Stevenson, we are ready to take over this division and declare this as Africa’s time when it comes to the WBO Jr Lightweight title,” Tobias said yesterday. “We are looking forward to making our mark in 2021.”
Tobias, who staged most of his events last year behind closed-doors, admitted that this could be another year with so many uncertainties as the world is experiencing a rapid increase in the reported number of Covid-19 cases.
The promoter, however, said it would be up to them to work smarter and protect the interest of boxers.
“It’s a difficult year with Covid-19 now going into the second phase which seems much worse than the first phase. But we will work smarter going forward and keeping our boxers active in a safe way,” he added.
“The future is bright for this Academy. We have at least 4 rising prospects that are now ready to fight for continental titles in their respective divisions,” Tobias noted.
Meanwhile, World Boxing Organisation (WBO) global junior lightweight champion Nakathila, told New Era he was looking forward to challenging for the world title this year if an opportunity arises. Nakathila said he believes he is in his prime and it is the right time to challenge for the highly rated title.
“I am hoping for a bigger and better year of course. I am hoping my dream fight will happen this year. I have been separately training on my own, and I feel that I am in my prime and it could be the right time to challenge for this title. I am still young and energetic, I believe there is nothing that can stop me right now,” he said.
“I hope my opportunity will come this year and I am looking forward to my promoter securing this fight for me.”
– mkambukwe@nepc.com.na