Hitman can’t wait to rumble

THERE are no more words left from both Namibia’s champion boxer Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses and challenger Takehiro ‘Samurai’ Shimada, as they head into a WBA lightweight world title showdown on Saturday.
The Namibian, who aims to retain the title he captured in Japan earlier this year, yesterday made a stop at Minister of Sport Willem Konjore yesterday for a good luck message.

He said he can’t wait to retain his title and that he will make everyone happy on the night by positing a win.Shimada said he has already made his preparation in his native country and is ready to take the title to Japan.Namibia is hosting the world title fight for the first time ever – it is promoted by the Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy in conjunction with American boxing supremo Don King.Moses won the title in Yokohama, Japan against Yusuke Kobori and is currently rated as the best pound for pound boxer in his category by the World Boxing Association. Moses will look at extending his winning streak to 25 with no loss, while his opponent will be eyeing a surprise win away from home.Moses has the advantage this time as he will have the home fans on his side and will also have a slight advantage due to his height.But the Japanese boxer is more experienced with 23 wins from his 28 fights, a record which is rather solid for a 37 year old. He has lost four times, and drew once.But all the history records will be put aside tomorrow night as both boxers anticipate to take the coveted belt. Paulus has not fought a competitive fight since January 3, but looks to be in top shape as he trains twice a day. There will be two other title fights which will include three Namibians and a South African. Both fights will be 12-rounders.The biggest clash of the two which is due to entertain will be between Namibia’s Betuel ‘The Unstoppable’ Uushona against South Africa’s Welcome Tshangile for the WBA Pan African welterweight title.Uushona has an incredible record of 17 wins with no loss in hi9s pro-career, while Tshangile has fought 27 times, won 16 and lost eight. He drew three times.The other title fight will see Jatoorora ‘The Sting’ Tjingaveta taking on his fellow countryman, Paulus Kapia for the World Boxing Organisation (WBO) lightweight crown.Tjingaveta is more experienced as he now stands on 13 fights with 11 wins, while Kapia has only fought 10 times and has eight wins.Another fight that might excite the fans includes an international junior welterweight fight between Namibia’s Sacky ‘Izinyoka’ Shikukutu who will take on South Africa’s Ramunzhi Khakhathi over six rounds. Shikukutu is Namibia’s most enterprising boxer with a bright future ahead of him.He currently boasts an impressive record of eight wins without a loss and will aim for an early knock-out in his quest for consistency.In other fights, Paulus ‘The Rock’ Ambunda will face South Africa’s Pfariso Neluvhalani in a bantamweight six rounder, while in the mini flyweight, Namibia’s Abnerk ‘Scorpion’ Shidjuu takes on Maurice Mutavhatsindi from South Africa.Ambunda is also undefeated with six straight wins, while his opponent has won four times from his seven fights.Shidjuu’s record is also not too bad as he has won five from his total of nine fights, while his opponent will be more vulnerable as he has lost three times from his four fights with a single win.Paulus ‘Blue Machine’ Indongo has a date with his Namibian counterpart Mandume Pohamba in a lightweight swinger four rounder. Indongo will make his pro-debut on the night and comes up against the equally inexperienced Pohamba who has only one fight to his name, which he has also won. The first fight starts at 18h30 at the car park of the Windhoek Country Club. corry@namibian.com.na