Boxers in top contests at coast

TOP local boxers will converge on Swakopmund to trade blows against their South African counterparts in an international boxing bonanza tomorrow.

The event has been organised by the Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy. The main bout will pit Namibia’s junior welterweight boxer Jason Naule against South Africa’s Thulani Mkhwanazi over six rounds after the fight between WBA Pan Africa champion Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses and Maxwell Mpofana was withdrawn.Moses was supposed to meet Mpofana over ten rounds, but cannot fight anymore as he is expected to defend his title in South Africa on June 10.Boxing rules state that there should be at least 14 days between a boxer’s fights.Namibia’s top boxing promoter and trainer, Nestor Tobias, told The Namibian Sport yesterday that it will be better to rest Moses so that he can be ready for his title defence against an opponent who is still to be named.He is expected to fight in South Africa.Naule, who will be the centre of attraction tomorrow at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre, has so far won all five of his professional fights, while his opponent has a record of seven fights, four wins, one loss and two draws.Another interesting fight will see Daniel ‘Open Fire’ Kashela taking on John Makhotsa over four rounds in the welterweight category.Kashela, a crowd favourite, has so far won six of his professional fights, while he lost one and drew one.His opponent has won five of his six fights, with one loss.The young Vikapita Meroro, who recently won in South Africa to build on his professional career, will meet the experienced Oupa Mahlangu in a four-rounder of the super-middleweight category.Mahlangu has fought 13 times and has five wins and six losses, while Meroro has won all three fights in his short boxing career to date.There will be nine fights in total and other Namibian boxers who will be in action include Wilbeforce Shihepo, Junias Amunyela, Peteneni Elago, Sigfriend Kaperu, Simon Negodhi and Tommy Hango.The event starts from 18h00.The main bout will pit Namibia’s junior welterweight boxer Jason Naule against South Africa’s Thulani Mkhwanazi over six rounds after the fight between WBA Pan Africa champion Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses and Maxwell Mpofana was withdrawn.Moses was supposed to meet Mpofana over ten rounds, but cannot fight anymore as he is expected to defend his title in South Africa on June 10.Boxing rules state that there should be at least 14 days between a boxer’s fights.Namibia’s top boxing promoter and trainer, Nestor Tobias, told The Namibian Sport yesterday that it will be better to rest Moses so that he can be ready for his title defence against an opponent who is still to be named.He is expected to fight in South Africa.Naule, who will be the centre of attraction tomorrow at the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre, has so far won all five of his professional fights, while his opponent has a record of seven fights, four wins, one loss and two draws.Another interesting fight will see Daniel ‘Open Fire’ Kashela taking on John Makhotsa over four rounds in the welterweight category.Kashela, a crowd favourite, has so far won six of his professional fights, while he lost one and drew one.His opponent has won five of his six fights, with one loss.The young Vikapita Meroro, who recently won in South Africa to build on his professional career, will meet the experienced Oupa Mahlangu in a four-rounder of the super-middleweight category.Mahlangu has fought 13 times and has five wins and six losses, while Meroro has won all three fights in his short boxing career to date.There will be nine fights in total and other Namibian boxers who will be in action include Wilbeforce Shihepo, Junias Amunyela, Peteneni Elago, Sigfriend Kaperu, Simon Negodhi and Tommy Hango.The event starts from 18h00.