Simon shapes up for return

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

HARRY Simon has set up camp in Johannesburg, South Africa as he prepares for a return to the ring next month, according to promoter Kinda Nangolo.

The former ‘Terminator’ is set to fight in a non-title light heavyweight international bout against Zoltan Kiss Jr from Hungary in Windhoek on June 29.
Simon is also scheduled to fight for the IBF International light-heavyweight title against a yet to be confirmed opponent on July 27.
He was expected to fight for the IBF strap against Kiss Jr’s countryman Jozsef Nagy in Swakopmund on May 25, however that deal fell through reportedly due to a lack of funds and because Nagy was knocked out by German prospect David Graf last month.
“The rules say he [Nagy] needs to stay out for three months because he was knocked out. That is why we made other arrangements for Harry,” Nangolo said.
The 41 year-old former WBO light middleweight and middleweight champion last fought in June 2012, scoring a first round stoppage over South African Ruben Groenewald.
Nangolo said Simon, who is battling with access weight, has roped in little-known South African trainer Charles Mabuta to whip him into shape.
“Harry has been in Jo’burg for almost two weeks now. He will be there working on his programme until a week before his fight,” Nangolo said.
“He’s progressing well and working very hard. He’s losing weight and he is focused on the fight.”
Simon has struggled to land reputable fights for well over a decade, owing to a chequered personal life.
In recent years, he has lost credibility by repeatedly backing out of fight deals and changing his backroom staff, while sporadic outings against journeyman opposition have done little to revive his once fabled reputation. The undefeated Simon’s latest rival, Kiss Jr, ranks among the also-rans in boxing circles, having lost 14 of his 45 fights - 13 of which were by knock out.
Kiss Jr, who has 25 wins to his name, lost his last fight on May 4 by TKO to 20 year-old Austrian Marko Zupkovic.

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