Dominance of local boxers on test

THE dominance of Namibian boxers on home soil will once again be put under the spotlight when several of them square up in what could be huge battles against foreign pugilists in just over a week.

South African and Zimbabwean boxers will try to dethrone the tough locals on August 16, in an effort to become champions after the Namibians have been supreme in most of the fights in recent years. The fights in the various categories are expected to be the best for the year after Telecom Namibia yesterday splashed out a N$203 000 sponsorship for staging the event in a Box and Dine fashion.The highlight of the night will be a rematch between one of Namibia’s Jason ‘Taks’ Naule and Kaizer Mabuza of South Africa for the WBA Pan African welterweight title.Naule has only lost once, to the same Mabuza, and wants to set the record straight in the rematch.Naule’s record is an impressive 13 wins, and the one loss to Mabuza that he intends to reverse on August 16 at the Windhoek Country Club.It won’t be easy for the home boy, as his opponent boasts with a fabulous 22 fights of which he has won 18, lost three and drawn one.Experience will come in handy for Mabuza in this fight, but Naule should count on his great natural boxing skills and home crowd to oust the visitor.In the main supporting bout, Tommy Hango will be trying to keep a clean slate as he has not lost any of his nine professional fights so far.He goes up against Zimbabwe’s Takudzwa Kuchocha in the welterweight division.Another interesting fight will see the return of middleweight fighter Wilberforce ‘Black Mamba’ Shihepo to the ring when he takes on Farai Musiiwa of Zimbabwe.Vikapita ‘Beast Master’ Meroro will be another boxer to be watched on the night, as he takes on Zimbabwe’s Gibson Mapfumo in the super-middleweight bout, while Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda has a date with South Africa’s Sadrack Makama.Other boxers who will prove their prowess on home soil include Sacky Shikukutu, who will make his pro debut against Iileni Shitaleni in the junior welterweight, while Abraham Ndaendapo meets South Africa’s Wandile Mseleku in a junior lightweight bout.Joseph Katenda (lightweight), who has lost all his seven fights, will be given a chance to redeem himself against fellow countryman Martin Haikali, who has only fought twice in the paid ranks.The fights in the various categories are expected to be the best for the year after Telecom Namibia yesterday splashed out a N$203 000 sponsorship for staging the event in a Box and Dine fashion.The highlight of the night will be a rematch between one of Namibia’s Jason ‘Taks’ Naule and Kaizer Mabuza of South Africa for the WBA Pan African welterweight title.Naule has only lost once, to the same Mabuza, and wants to set the record straight in the rematch.Naule’s record is an impressive 13 wins, and the one loss to Mabuza that he intends to reverse on August 16 at the Windhoek Country Club.It won’t be easy for the home boy, as his opponent boasts with a fabulous 22 fights of which he has won 18, lost three and drawn one.Experience will come in handy for Mabuza in this fight, but Naule should count on his great natural boxing skills and home crowd to oust the visitor.In the main supporting bout, Tommy Hango will be trying to keep a clean slate as he has not lost any of his nine professional fights so far.He goes up against Zimbabwe’s Takudzwa Kuchocha in the welterweight division.Another interesting fight will see the return of middleweight fighter Wilberforce ‘Black Mamba’ Shihepo to the ring when he takes on Farai Musiiwa of Zimbabwe.Vikapita ‘Beast Master’ Meroro will be another boxer to be watched on the night, as he takes on Zimbabwe’s Gibson Mapfumo in the super-middleweight bout, while Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda has a date with South Africa’s Sadrack Makama.Other boxers who will prove their prowess on home soil include Sacky Shikukutu, who will make his pro debut against Iileni Shitaleni in the junior welterweight, while Abraham Ndaendapo meets South Africa’s Wandile Mseleku in a junior lightweight bout.Joseph Katenda (lightweight), who has lost all his seven fights, will be given a chance to redeem himself against fellow countryman Martin Haikali, who has only fought twice in the paid ranks.

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