Indongo: A work-in-progress

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

JUNIOR welterweight boxer Julius ‘Blue Machine’ Indongo is still some way off where his trainer and promoter Nestor Tobias wants him to be.

While his classy and dominant display saw him comfortably defeat Zambia’s Nelson Banda in a non-title fight over 10 rounds at the Kuisebmund Hall in Walvis Bay on Saturday, Tobias is adamant that Indongo is far from the finished article.
The Blue Machine is still unbeaten after 14 professional fights while Banda now has a record of six wins, one draw and three defeats.
“He listens well. He is fast and talented. But there are still some things he needs to learn. He needs to work more on his balance and movement,” Tobias said.
“He gave Banda a boxing lesson. The only thing that was missing was a knockout because the Zambian guy is very strong.”
But Tobias, who has produced two world champions in Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses and Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda, believes his protege bears the hallmarks of a great fighter.
“He’s a world rated fighter. Of course you cannot compare him to Hitman and Ambunda but he has the potential to go far just like those two,” said Tobias.
“We are taking it slowly. He must not lose focus if he wants to improve and succeed as a boxer. Talent is not enough. The guys who make it anywhere in the world are the most disciplined.”
In Saturday’s other showdowns, Pohamba ‘The President’ Mandume edged Tommy ‘The Lion’ Hango on points in their welterweight fight over 10 rounds.
According to Tobias – while entertaining - the contest resembled a street brawl with both fighters lacking refinement in techniques.
In the end, Mandume’s greater energy reserves swayed the fight in his favour.
Lightweight Samuel ‘The Hammer’ Kapapu defeated Josan Banda of Zambia on points to improve his record to 13 wins and six losses in 19 fights.
Sakaria Lukas won the interim featherweight belt on a sixth round technical knock out (TKO) at the expense of Joseph Katenda, who broke his hand.
Lukas can now challenge Tommy ‘Show’ Nakashimba for the full title.
Simon ‘Balooka’ Johannes scored a points decision over Johannes Matheus in their bantamweight four-rounder.
“The overall standard of boxing was high. The boxers put on a good show and the support from the Walvis Bay community was great. So it was a very successful event and we are looking forward to the next one,” Tobias said.

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