Hitman Moses to fight Castillo in Swakopmund

By: HELGE SCHUTZ

PAULUS ‘Hitman’ Moses will be the main attraction when he takes on Jeremias Castillo of Argentina at the ‘Champions in the Desert’ Boxing Bonanza which will take place at the Vineta Sports Centre in Swakopmund on December 8.

Announcing the boxing bonanza yesterday, Namibian promoter Nestor Tobias said that boxing fans at the coast will be able to see world-rated opponents in action and that the bonanza will also see boxers like Paulus Ambunda, Tyson Ushona, Wilberforce Shihepo and Johannes Mwetupunga in action.
“This will be the biggest fight of the year. We want to take boxing to all the corners of Namibia and we promised our sponsor MTC that we would do this, so I hope that the fans at the coast come out in big numbers to support the event,” he said.
Moses, whose WBO lightweight ranking recently improved to fourth in the world, has a pro record of 29 wins and two defeats. He will be defending his WBO International Lightweight title for the first time since he beat Cassius Baloyi of South Africa in July 2012.
Castillo will be a tough customer, with a record of 19 wins, six losses and one draw.
He has won his last four fights, while his last bout in December 2011 saw him beating compatriot Mario Martinez to claim the WBC Latino Super Featherweight title.
Moses said he was ready for the fight.
“After I won the WBO International title in July I knew that I would have to defend it, so I am prepared and ready to keep the title in Namibia. For me it’s a great achievement to be ranked fourth in the world by the WBO so I am close to another world title fight again,” he said.
Namibia’s WBO Africa Welterweight champion Tyson Ushona will take on Said Zungu of Tanzania in an international welterweight fight over eight rounds. Ushona, who is ranked second in the world by the WBO, has a pro record of 27 wins, two defeats and one draw, while Zungu’s record consists of 14 wins, nine losses and one draw.
“What can I say, I am rated number two in the world and come December 8, I will put up a great show. I also want to thank MTC for their sponsorship because it’s making a big difference to boxing in Namibia,” Ushona said.

AMBUNDA

Ambunda will fight several opponents from South Africa as a warm-up fight before his WBO bantamweight world title fight against Pungluang Singyu of Thailand early next year. Ambunda said he was very excited about the world title fight.
“I can’t wait to wear that belt, I am waiting for that day and I will bring it back to Namibia,” he said.
Tobias said he was still negotiating with Singyu’s camp about where to stage the world title fight.
“We are negotiating with them now. If they give us a better offer to fight in Thailand, we will pack our bags and go and collect the title. If not, we can host it here in Namibia – either way, we will be ready,” he said.
In other fights on December 8, Wilberforce Shihepo will take on Udiadia Mwahila of the DRC, who has a record on nine wins and one no contest from 10 fights.
Johannes Mwetupunga, who has a record of 11 wins and four losses, will take on Amos Temfuma of Tanzania, who is unbeaten after six fights.
Jason Mashala will take on Lukas Handivele over four rounds; Onesmus Nekundi will make his pro debut against the undefeated Johannes Gabriel; and Immanuel Andreki will take on Toivo Mukwedje.  
Abraham Ndaendapo and Joseph Katenda will also be in action against opponents yet to be announced.
The tickets will cost N$500 for VIP seats, N$150 for middle row seats and N$50 for grandstand seats.
Meanwhile, the MTC Nestor Sunshine Boxing Academy will host an amateur boxing competition at the UN Plaza on Saturday, November 10, starting at 16h00. The entrance is free.

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