Hitman now to face Mutu

THE undefeated Namibian lightweight champion, Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses, says he does not fear Romania’s Mihaita Mutu.

The two are expected to trade blows in a WBA Intercontinental Lightweight title bout in Windhoek in about five weeks’ time. The fight is billed for August 19 at the Windhoek Country Club.Moses was initially supposed to fight Russia’s Andrey Devyataikin, but that fight will not materialise and a new opponent in Mutu was found to square up against the hard-hitting Namibian.Moses told reporters at a media conference yesterday that he has absolutely no regard for Mutu’s record and all he wants is to take him out on the day of the bout.Mutu, a 29-yea- old who was born in Bucharest, has an impressive record of 16 wins from 24 fights, compared to Hitman who has 16 straight victories in his short but illustrious boxing career.Mutu was floored six times, while he managed two draws.Paulus, who is also the current holder of the WBA Pan African Lightweight title, said records remain on paper, but the real work should be done in the ring.”I am always ready to fight anyone.Boxing is big business for me now.There is no more joking and I am more than ready for this fight,” he said.Moses thanked his trainer, Nestor Tobias, for taking him to greater heights in his career, while he expressed appreciation to all companies who are currently making a difference in boxing through their sponsorships.Tobias, a former boxer himself, said he was confident his boxer would pass with flying colours.He said Moses has been preparing well for the fight and he was happy with the current shape of the boxer, who has shamed opponents from South Africa with his quick but powerful punches.Moses has never hit the floor during all his fights.At the same event, Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chairman Kelly Nghixulifwa said it was the first time a European boxer would be boxing in Namibia.Nghixulifwa said Telecom Namibia, which is the main sponsor after donating a cool N$382 700 for hosting this event, has become a household name in boxing.The company’s advertising and promotion coordinator, Dawn Humphries, said her company was proud to be part of this growing sport.Telecom Namibia has to date invested at least N$2 million in boxing.The main bout will be supported by several contests from some of Namibia’s finest boxers, such as the upcoming super-middleweight Vikapita Meroro, junior welterweight Jason Naule and middleweight Willbeforce Shihepo .Welterweight fighter Daniel ‘Open Fire’ Kashela, who is generally a crowd entertainer and who wears an unusual hairstyle in each fight, will also be expected to take on an opponent.Tobias said the opponents for all these boxers are still to be named.Tickets for the Box and Dine event will cost N$450 per person and N$2 700 for a table of six.In other fights on the night, Simon Negodhi will take on Peteneni Elago in the flyweight division, while Siegfried Kaperu will engage Paulus Kapia in the featherweight category.Nampower, Air Namibia and the Windhoek Country Club and Resort are the other sponsors of the event.Tickets are available from the Namibian Boxing office, Telecom Business Centre and the Country Club.The fight is billed for August 19 at the Windhoek Country Club.Moses was initially supposed to fight Russia’s Andrey Devyataikin, but that fight will not materialise and a new opponent in Mutu was found to square up against the hard-hitting Namibian.Moses told reporters at a media conference yesterday that he has absolutely no regard for Mutu’s record and all he wants is to take him out on the day of the bout.Mutu, a 29-yea- old who was born in Bucharest, has an impressive record of 16 wins from 24 fights, compared to Hitman who has 16 straight victories in his short but illustrious boxing career.Mutu was floored six times, while he managed two draws.Paulus, who is also the current holder of the WBA Pan African Lightweight title, said records remain on paper, but the real work should be done in the ring.”I am always ready to fight anyone.Boxing is big business for me now.There is no more joking and I am more than ready for this fight,” he said.Moses thanked his trainer, Nestor Tobias, for taking him to greater heights in his career, while he expressed appreciation to all companies who are currently making a difference in boxing through their sponsorships.Tobias, a former boxer himself, said he was confident his boxer would pass with flying colours.He said Moses has been preparing well for the fight and he was happy with the current shape of the boxer, who has shamed opponents from South Africa with his quick but powerful punches.Moses has never hit the floor during all his fights.At the same event, Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board chairman Kelly Nghixulifwa said it was the first time a European boxer would be boxing in Namibia.Nghixulifwa said Telecom Namibia, which is the main sponsor after donating a cool N$382 700 for hosting this event, has become a household name in boxing.The company’s advertising and promotion coordinator, Dawn Humphries, said her company was proud to be part of this growing sport.Telecom Namibia has to date invested at least N$2 million in boxing.The main bout will be supported by several contests from some of Namibia’s finest boxers, such as the upcoming super-middleweight Vikapita Meroro, junior welterweight Jason Naule and middleweight Willbeforce Shihepo .Welterweight fighter Daniel ‘Open Fire’ Kashela, who is generally a crowd entertainer and who wears an unusual hairstyle in each fight, will also be expected to take on an opponent.Tobias said the opponents for all these boxers are still to be named.Tickets for the Box and Dine event will cost N$450 per person and N$2 700 for a table of six.In other fights on the night, Simon Negodhi will take on Peteneni Elago in the flyweight division, while Siegfried Kaperu will engage Paulus Kapia in the featherweight category.Nampower, Air Namibia and the Windhoek Country Club and Resort are the other sponsors of the event.Tickets are available from the Namibian Boxing office, Telecom Business Centre and the Country Club.