Hitman hot to win

NAMIBIAN boxer Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses will go in tonight’s lightweight fight with a slight advantage as he weighs one kilogramme more than his opponent, Joni Simphiwe from South Africa.

Moses stood at 61kg at the weigh-in of the two boxers yesterday, while Simphiwe could only notch-up 60,60kg. The boxers will square up in the ring for the highly regarded WBA Pan African Lightweight title at the Windhoek Country Club tonight.The programme starts at 18h30.At the weigh-in yesterday, the two boxers vowed to take each other out from the onset.It is the first time that such as title will be contested for in Namibia.The Namibian described himself as the best boxer in Africa in his weight category.”For me, Joni Simphiwe is just another fight to improve my record, but the title is what I want.I have never seen him fighting, but that does not bother me as he is not Dingaan Thobela, Oscar De La Hoya or Floyd Myweather,”said Moses.He further said:”I love South Africa, its president and its people, but this one is for my country, I’am sorry” Moses has so far won all 12 of his professional fights, of which nine were knock outs.He said in case Simphiwe goes past the fifth round, he will respect him for that as his intentions are to sent him to the canvass in the first three rounds.”I work very hard with my trainer, manager and promoter and we will just be too much for the South African with all the experience that I gained from them,” he added.He said he read a report in one of the South African newspapers in which Simphiwe was quoted that he will knock Moses out.On that, Moses said: “I want to see how he will do that to a lion.Joni is welcome to meet a very talented fighter with a combination of power and speed, who is accurate and fit.”Moses said his message to all the lightweights is that ‘the Hitman is here to stay.’ The only words from Simphiwe was that he is ready and well prepared to take on Moses over 12 rounds.Simphiwe has a record of 23 fights, 17 wins and six loses, giving him an edge on experience for the bout.Speaking at the weighing session, Namibia Boxing Professional and Wrestling Control Board acting chairman, Kelly Nghixulifwa, said that all preparations for the event are on track and that it is going to be the biggest show ever on the boxing calendar.Last year, a box and dine activity planned by Telecom Namibia to the tune of N$200 000 was described as a success, with the one tomorrow expected to produce even more fireworks from the ring.This year, Telecom Namibia pumped in a hefty N$250 000 for the event which will also see five other professional fights going in as under cards for the night.The occasion will possibly be graced by the presence of some top political leaders, who some are ardent boxing supporters, while John Mutorwa, the minister of Sport is expected to make a keynote address.The other fights for the night will be as follows: Willbeforce vs Samuel Mathebala (middleweight) four rounds Daniel ‘ Open Fire’ Kashela vs Norman Tshisakhawe (welterweight) four rounds Kanime Kanime vs Pius Dipheko (welterweight) six rounds Jason ‘ Taks’ Naule vs Makhautisa Riavhuwa (junior welterweight) six rounds Gottlieb Shileka vs Moses Mbowane (welterweight) eight rounds.The boxers will square up in the ring for the highly regarded WBA Pan African Lightweight title at the Windhoek Country Club tonight.The programme starts at 18h30.At the weigh-in yesterday, the two boxers vowed to take each other out from the onset.It is the first time that such as title will be contested for in Namibia.The Namibian described himself as the best boxer in Africa in his weight category.”For me, Joni Simphiwe is just another fight to improve my record, but the title is what I want.I have never seen him fighting, but that does not bother me as he is not Dingaan Thobela, Oscar De La Hoya or Floyd Myweather,”said Moses.He further said:”I love South Africa, its president and its people, but this one is for my country, I’am sorry” Moses has so far won all 12 of his professional fights, of which nine were knock outs.He said in case Simphiwe goes past the fifth round, he will respect him for that as his intentions are to sent him to the canvass in the first three rounds.”I work very hard with my trainer, manager and promoter and we will just be too much for the South African with all the experience that I gained from them,” he added.He said he read a report in one of the South African newspapers in which Simphiwe was quoted that he will knock Moses out.On that, Moses said: “I want to see how he will do that to a lion.Joni is welcome to meet a very talented fighter with a combination of power and speed, who is accurate and fit.”Moses said his message to all the lightweights is that ‘the Hitman is here to stay.’ The only words from Simphiwe was that he is ready and well prepared to take on Moses over 12 rounds.Simphiwe has a record of 23 fights, 17 wins and six loses, giving him an edge on experience for the bout.Speaking at the weighing session, Namibia Boxing Professional and Wrestling Control Board acting chairman, Kelly Nghixulifwa, said that all preparations for the event are on track and that it is going to be the biggest show ever on the boxing calendar.Last year, a box and dine activity planned by Telecom Namibia to the tune of N$200 000 was described as a success, with the one tomorrow expected to produce even more fireworks from the ring.This year, Telecom Namibia pumped in a hefty N$250 000 for the event which will also see five other professional fights going in as under cards for the night.The occasion will possibly be graced by the presence of some top political leaders, who some are ardent boxing supporters, while John Mutorwa, the minister of Sport is expected to make a keynote address.The other fights for the night will be as follows: Willbeforce vs Samuel Mathebala (middleweight) four rounds Daniel ‘ Open Fire’ Kashela vs Norman Tshisakhawe (welterweight) four rounds Kanime Kanime vs Pius Dipheko (welterweight) six rounds Jason ‘ Taks’ Naule vs Makhautisa Riavhuwa (junior welterweight) six rounds Gottlieb Shileka vs Moses Mbowane (welterweight) eight rounds.