Boxing’s ‘Iron Lady’ returns

ANITA ‘Iron Lady’ Tjombe is back with a vengeance. So she says.

Having wallowed in the doldrums for nearly five years, the country’s only female promoter announced on Thursday that she is ready to fulfil her ambitions.

Tjombe said she found the going tough, and had to re-strategise after breaking off ties with Harry Simon Okugo Promotions to start her own stable in 2011.

Back then, Tjombe promised to revolutionise Namibian boxing by ensuring that boxers and promoters all enjoyed equal benefits from the trade

That declaration of intent failed to materialise for unspecified reasons, forcing her to take a sabbatical from the game.

However, with the added bonus of a new mysterious “;stable”; backer, the ambitious self-proclaimed iron lady of Namibian boxing has maintained her original stance, adding that she was here for the long haul this time around.

“It is a new era for me and for boxing in the country. With the new blood, I’m hoping to help build boxing in Namibia,” Tjombe told reporters at the Namibia Boxing Control Board’s offices in Windhoek.

She is banking on the talent of Namibia’s 2016 Rio Olympics flag bearer Jonas Junias Jonas and four other novice fighters to enhance her establishment to the lofty heights that she aspires it to be.

Apart from Jonas, who is still in Brazil awaiting the outcome of his criminal case, Iron Lady Promotions have signed up Lazarus Shaningwa, Immanuel ‘ No fear’ Shapaka and Johannes Gabriel.

The fifth fighter is 28 year-old Martina Tjauha, who plans to become Namibia’s first female professional boxer after her amateur career swansong on 29 October when the stable stages its maiden event at the Windhoek Country Club.

“I’m here to bridge the gap in Namibian boxing. We need more promotions in order to better look after the needs of the boxers in this country,” Tjombe noted.

“My aim is to make sure that boxers are catered for. This means they should have benefits like medical aid and salaries. This is not only for men, but also for women. We’re trying to encourage more women to be involved in sports such as boxing,” she added.

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