UNITED Kingdom-based Namibian boxer Ali Nuumbembe recently refused to change his nationality to become a British citizen.
He is reported to have had a lot of pressure for the past six months to become a British national, but has refused and said: “I am a proud Namibian and I will always be a Namibian”. Top British promoters, press and businessmen have all asked him to change his nationality, but Nuumbembe has stood his ground and refused them all.If Nuumbembe became British he would be a very wealthy man as it would open many doors with his boxing career, television and sponsorship deals.But Nuumbembe has refused all offers and is prepared to grit it out and represent Namibia in his push for boxing titles.”No matter what part of the world I am in, I will always be representing the people of Namibia and flying the Namibian flag high,” he was quoted as saying.Nuumbembe, affectionately known as ‘The Silent Assassin’, recently signed a promotional deal with top promoter, Frank Maloney.Maloney is the man who took Lennox Lewis to the world title.He has now set up his own promotional outfit and is looking to become Britain’s top promoter after working for five years beside Frank Warren.Maloney has also signed David Haye, Jamie Moore and Anthony Small plus many others in what is looking like a quality stable with a great future.All eyes are now on Nuumbembe as his next fight on February 12 against Ghana’s Joshua Okine is a Commonwealth Eliminator.Nuumbembe knows it will be his toughest fight to date, as he is ranked number 26 in the world and Okine is ranked number nine in the world.He says he is confident for this fight and he wants to go on and win the Commonwealth title for the people of Namibia, provided he beats Okine in the Eliminator.Top British promoters, press and businessmen have all asked him to change his nationality, but Nuumbembe has stood his ground and refused them all.If Nuumbembe became British he would be a very wealthy man as it would open many doors with his boxing career, television and sponsorship deals.But Nuumbembe has refused all offers and is prepared to grit it out and represent Namibia in his push for boxing titles.”No matter what part of the world I am in, I will always be representing the people of Namibia and flying the Namibian flag high,” he was quoted as saying.Nuumbembe, affectionately known as ‘The Silent Assassin’, recently signed a promotional deal with top promoter, Frank Maloney.Maloney is the man who took Lennox Lewis to the world title.He has now set up his own promotional outfit and is looking to become Britain’s top promoter after working for five years beside Frank Warren.Maloney has also signed David Haye, Jamie Moore and Anthony Small plus many others in what is looking like a quality stable with a great future.All eyes are now on Nuumbembe as his next fight on February 12 against Ghana’s Joshua Okine is a Commonwealth Eliminator.Nuumbembe knows it will be his toughest fight to date, as he is ranked number 26 in the world and Okine is ranked number nine in the world.He says he is confident for this fight and he wants to go on and win the Commonwealth title for the people of Namibia, provided he beats Okine in the Eliminator.
