Smokey promotes ‘Battle of the Warriors’

By: SHEEFENI NIKODEMUS

CURRENT WBA Pan African titleholder Joseph “Smokey” Hilongwa has ventured into promotion.

Hilongwa – through Warriors Promotions – will organise the contest for the vacant Namibian featherweight title between Tommy Nakashimba and Matheus Kandala on September 14 at the Khomasdal Community Hall in Windhoek.
Hilongwa, who plans to defend his title later this year, said he had grown fed up dealing with promoters in the country, hence his decision to become one himself.
“It feels good to be able to benefit other boxers. As a fighters we always point fingers at promoters. I would like to take up the challenge to see what it’s like to be a promoter.”
The main event fighters as well as the undercards get little opportunity to exhibit their talent through other promoters, said Hilongwa.
The card features mostly fighters with relative inexperience in the paid ranks, while there are six amateur bouts also on the programme.
The fighters have been drawn from various gyms across the country while there are also faces from Zimbabwe.
“Our aim is to give an opportunity to each and every boxer. It does not benefit boxing if we ignore those at the beginning and focus only on the top guys. If we don’t focus on the beginners then we can not have progress when the other guys reach their maximum,” said Hilongwa.
Apart from Nakashima’s superior experience (11f,6w, 4l, 1d), there is little to choose between the two fighters.
Kandala has lost four of his six bouts to date and won just two.
While neither fighter is known to possess much boxing panache, both have heart which will most likely result into an all-out brawl.  
“We matched each fight according to the guys records so that there no easy fight for anyone,” said Hilongwa. “It may not be the big names but these are very good boxers.”
Tickets to the fight cost N$50 for ordinary seats with VIP tables for six at N$5 000 each also available.

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