Fans roar for Hitman

NAMIBIA’S new boxing champion of the world, Paulus Moses, was welcomed with a roaring applause at Hosea Kutako International Airport yesterday, with close to 1 000 people in attendance.

Moses won the World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight world title after he beat Japan’s Yusuke Kobori by unanimous decision on Saturday.
At a press briefing shortly after his arrival yesterday, Moses said he will take a break for a few days before he hits the gym again, as he is expected to fight again at the end of April.
His trainer, Nestor Tobias, explained that according to the WBA rules, Moses is only expected to defend his title after nine months, but he can opt for a voluntary defence before that.
He said the voluntary defence is expected at the end of April and an opponent will be announced at a later stage.
Moses told a happy audience at the airport that he spent sleepless nights before the fight, but was happy to have achieved his dream of becoming a world champion.
‘I was dreaming of becoming a world champion one day. I told myself that I need to work hard and for the last fight, I prayed a lot and my guys who went with me also prayed for me to win this fight,’ said the 28-year-old boxer.
Moses is only the second Namibian boxer to win a world title after Harry Simon, who achieved the same feat in the middleweight category in 1998.
Moses, an officer in the Namibian Police, said he was trying to think of how he would down his opponent, while at the same time he was pondering on answers on what he will tell the nation, especially founding President Sam Nujoma, if he did not bring back the title.
‘I was thinking to myself what excuse I will use if I don’t win it, but that is now gone. I made it. I am very proud of myself and this title is not only for Namibia, but for the whole of Africa,’ he said.
Tobias added that he noticed Moses was not using his right hand against Kobori from round seven, and wanted to know why during one of the breaks. Moses told him that it was painful after he hit Kobori on the head.
‘I told him (Moses) that he should use it. I don’t care if it was painful. I told him that we would fix it after the fight, he should use it,’ said Tobias to cheers of all his fans who attended the press briefing.
Meanwhile, Minister of Safety and Security Nickey Iyambo stressed that the business community should support local talent because Namibia has an abundance of champions such as Moses.
‘These talents cannot be developed and will never reach their potential if they don’t get any support from the people who have all the means to make their dreams come true,’ said Iyambo. Moses is sponsored by Namibia’s power utility, Nampower.
Nampower’s Isak Tjombonde said the investment they made in both Moses and the Nestor Tobias Boxing Academy has paid off in the most spectacular way.
‘Thank you for being such a humble and winning combination. Our relationship was characterised by patience and perseverance, and finally we reached this far. You are a great team that made us and the Land of the Brave proud,’ said Tjombonde.
Moses was received by Iyambo, Tjombonde and Namibian Boxing president Kelly Nghixulifwa, while he was accompanied by Deputy Minister of Sport Pohamba Shifeta from Japan.