WINDHOEK – If Saturday night’s performance is anything to go by, than the only thing that can stop Namibian professional boxers from etching their names in the African boxing annals is without doubt ‘father time’, because, as matters stand now no African fighter appears competent enough to stop their dominance.
This was evidenced by World Boxing Organization (WBO) International Lightweight champion Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses’ blistery performance against Argentinian opponent Leonardo Esteban Gonzalez, whom he easily dispatched via a 7th-round technical knockout (TKO) to successfully retain his WBO International Lightweight crown on Saturday night in the Ramatex Hall, in Windhoek. After a sluggish start, Hitman moved into a higher gear as from the 3rd round, depositing some well-calculated head and body hooks coupled with decent uppercuts, that had the somewhat unconvincing Argentinian on the back foot most of the time.
Hitman was sharp, efficient and sometimes brutal in dismantling Gonzales. The former lightweight world champion pounded him with big right hands in the middle rounds, and made him look just like he said he would – like any other opponent. Heading into the 6th and 7th rounds, Hitman (35) was just too quick and strong for Gonzales, as he evaded nearly every shot Gonzales threw, while responding with accurate and solid jabs until prominent South African boxing judge-cum-referee Jaap van Nieuwenhuizen could not stand seeing Gonzales being humiliated further by Hitman’s merciless punches when he opted to stop the bout almost two minutes into the 7th round.
Tyson closes Mabuza chapter
WBO Africa Welterweight champion Tyson Ushona, as promised earlier succeeded in making his South African opponent Kaizer Mabuza look like a vulnerable beginner in the business of trading leather, with his never-seen-before performance that saw the stylish Tyson retain his Welterweight title via an unanimous decision victory. Fighting in the main supporting bout of the ‘Road to World Titles” boxing bonanza in the Ramatex Hall, Tyson started off aggressively and with his speed, was able to land strong jabs and good combinations and move out of the way with ease, before Mabuza could get a chance to connect his strong punches.
Despite Mabuza being a very strong puncher, Tyson was just too smart for the South African as he continued to land good combinations, which were complemented by his mean left hand. Tyson’s quick backtracking style of fight and unexpected attacks, seemingly confused Mabuza and by the time the fight entered the last quarter, Mabuza seemed to have lost his spirit as the more effective Tyson continued to unleash clean head and body hooks, doubling the action with lethal jab. In another heated, but short-lived bout, Vikapita ‘Beast Master’ Meroro made easy work of his bout against the below-par Pascal Ndomba when he easily brushed the Tanzanian aside via a 2ndround Technical Knockout, to successfully hold on to his WBO Africa Cruiserweight title. A clearly stronger Meroro constantly snapped Ndomba’s head and body with his vicious right hand, which gave the struggling Tanzanian no room to retaliate. But Meroro refused to relax and began to open up with his punches even more, landing more right hooks and good body combinations that saw Ndomba call it quits in only the 2nd round.