Boxer Shihepo suffers defeat in South Africa

WINDHOEK – Namibian boxer Willbeforce Shihepo suffered defeat after losing on points to South African opponent Steven Tsago in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Friday.

The defeat translates Shihepo’s record to 11 fights, eight wins and three losses. Boxing promoter Nestor Tobias, who accompanied the Namibian boxers, described the fight as tough and very close.He said the decision by the referee to deduct points from Shihepo without a warning for holding his opponent was questionable.He said at one stage another judge declared the fight a draw but had to settle for the defeat after it was decided that Shihepo lost by one point.The fight between Namibia’s super-middleweight boxer Vikapita Meroro did not take place, as his South African opponent, Immanuel Gwala, failed to pitch.Tobias said they did not know the whereabouts of Gwala, who this year was beaten by Meroro at the International Boxing Bonanza held at Swakopmund.Meroro still retains his unbeaten record of five fights without a single defeat.Shihepo’s fight preceded South African Dingaan Thobela’s fight against countryman Soon Botes in a light-heavyweight title bout.Affectionately known as ‘The Rose of Soweto’, Thobela lost the fight to Botes on a technical knockout in the tenth round.NampaBoxing promoter Nestor Tobias, who accompanied the Namibian boxers, described the fight as tough and very close.He said the decision by the referee to deduct points from Shihepo without a warning for holding his opponent was questionable.He said at one stage another judge declared the fight a draw but had to settle for the defeat after it was decided that Shihepo lost by one point.The fight between Namibia’s super-middleweight boxer Vikapita Meroro did not take place, as his South African opponent, Immanuel Gwala, failed to pitch.Tobias said they did not know the whereabouts of Gwala, who this year was beaten by Meroro at the International Boxing Bonanza held at Swakopmund.Meroro still retains his unbeaten record of five fights without a single defeat.Shihepo’s fight preceded South African Dingaan Thobela’s fight against countryman Soon Botes in a light-heavyweight title bout.Affectionately known as ‘The Rose of Soweto’, Thobela lost the fight to Botes on a technical knockout in the tenth round.Nampa