Haikali, potential world champion

AFTER only his third WBO Africa lightweight title defence, Martin Haikali is being touted as a world champion in the making.

Haikali successfully retained his title when he beat Sam Amoako of Ghana on a split decision over 12 rounds on Saturday. The victory has prompted his promoter, Nestor Tobias, to say that Haikali is fast developing into a formidable fighter who will be ready for a shot at a major international title in the not too distant future. ‘He can beat anyone in the world,’ Tobias boldly told reporters yesterday. ‘We have a potential world champion in the making.Tobias said Haikali was impressive despite fighting on foreign soil for the first time in his career, defending the title that he won in November 2009 when he beat compatriot Jatoorora Tjingavete with a sixth-round TKO.Haikali last defended his crown in August last year, earning a hard-fought points victory over Pies Dibeko of South Africa in Walvis Bay. ‘I’ve witnessed many great fights and this was another great fight,’ said Tobias of Haikali’s win in Accra. Tobias, although admitting that his boxer is still a little rough around the edges, praised Haikali’s overall application during the fight fought in the hot and humid confines of the Accra International Conference Centre. ‘I was impressed by this young man,’ he said. ‘He showed that he is the man to beat. He has a very high work rate and boxed at the same fast pace through the fight. But he needs to improve some of his skills. ‘On his part, the modest Haikali said he was happy to keep winning as this will propel him to better fight opportunities. Despite dominating the fight, he said it was tough. ‘I said I will go and win and defend my title and that’s what I did,’ said Haikali. Tobias said the focus was to improve Haikali’s record, which is a ‘little bit shaky’, and also his world rating. ‘He lost a few fights early in his career,’ said Tobias. ‘He’s a world-class boxer.’We will try to get him two or three fights in the next three months so that we can improve his world rating.’sheefeni@namibian.com.na