Miriam Nghilonga dreams of becoming Namibia’s first female world boxing champion.
The 19-year-old A Shipena Secondary School Grade 12 pupil believes she has the required ability and motivation to realise that dream.
“I’ve always loved boxing. When my little brother joined the gym, I also wanted to so I followed him,” she narrated.
“First they [her parents] did not want me to take part in boxing.
My dad asked me if I was sure that I wanted to start boxing and I said yes. So last year, I decided I’m going for the sport and no one was going to stop me.”
Nghilonga is well aware of the dangers associated with combat sport but that is immaterial when you factor in the benefits, she says.
She became a boxer for fitness, discipline and prestige.
“It’s tough. If you don’t train like the coach says you should, then you won’t make it. I want to be a successful businesswoman and be the first female boxer from Namibia to win a world title,” said Nghilonga.
Being the only female boxer fighting out of the Soweto Boxing Club in Windhoek is part of the reason she wants to succeed.
“It was weird at first because I was the only girl but I’m used to it now. The boys don’t treat me different because I’m a girl. I have to train hard just like them and I spar against them too,” said Nghilonga, who hails from Okongo in the Ohangwena region.
Boxing has not made Nghilonga less of a girl as she still enjoys doing ‘girly things’ with her friends.
“I’m a girl. Nothing has changed. I like boxing because keeps you off the street. After school you are busy with productive activities. This helps me to stay focused in school and be disciplined in my life,” she said. “Sometimes people at school will challenge you to fight them but I tell them ‘I only fight in the ring’. I use what I learn in the gym for positive things and not to hurt others.”
Fists Up
Another aspiring world champion Flaime Nangolo (14), the Khomas Boxing Federation’s best junior fighter, said the sport has made him more responsible and ambitious.
Like Nghilonga, he hopes to make his mark at the 2020 Olympic Games.
“I want to be champion that’s why I joined boxing. I know I can make it. I just have to keep working hard,” Nangolo said.
Being the nephew of Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses means Nangolo will always be measured against his idol’s achievements.
However, while he draws inspiration from his famous uncle, the Cosmos High Grade 8 pupil is determined to write his own success story.
“You just have to work hard. Be disciplined and respect your elders and you can achieve what you want to in life,” said Nangolo. “Anyone can do boxing. But you must be prepared to put in the effort and have a passion for it. Even if you don’t become a professional, at least you stay fit and look after your body.”
The History of Boxing
Generally, boxing is seen as a man’s sport where winners are determined by the decision of the judges or people known as round victors who keep a scorecard.
Originating in Greece, it was believed that boxing was a game which was played by the god Olympus, which is how it became a part of the Olympic Games around 668 BC.
In Rome, boxing became quite popular, leading to players wearing leather bands around their fists for protection or cesti – leather hand coverings, as fighting led to matches to the death. After the fall of the Roman empire, boxing slowly disappeared, but the sport came back to life in England where James Figg reigned for over 10 years in the 1700s. However, it was only in 1743 when England’s Jack Broughton created his own rules, including the dismissal of hitting an opponent below the belt.
Boxing also includes a set of weight classes, eight in total. This includes the flyweight (up to 50,8kg), bantamweight (53,5kg), featherweight (57,2kg), lightweight (61,2kg), welterweight (66,7kg), middleweight (73,6kg), light heavyweight (79,4kg) and heavyweight (unlimited). However, recent years have seen junior weights compete as junior lightweight (between 57 and 59kg) and cruiserweight (90,7kg).
• Boxing is split up into amateur boxing and professional boxing.
• Onomastos Smyrnaios is the first winner in Olympic boxing in ancient Greek times.
• Boxing is also known as pugilism.
• In ancient Greece, the god Apollo was seen as the inventor and guardian of boxing.
