FORMER World Boxing Association (WBA) lightweight world champion Paulus ‘The Hitman ‘ Moses and stable mate Immanuel ‘Prince ‘ Naidjala have set their sights on securing world title fights in the near future.
Both fighters will feature as undercards to compatriot Paulus ‘The Rock ‘ Ambunda’s super world title fight against Moises ‘Chucky ‘ Flores for the Super Bantamweight IBO and WBA titles in Windhoek on 11 June.
Moses, who became Namibia’s second world champion after the legendary Harry Simon, says he feels confident ahead of his fight, which will be the main supporting bout at the Ramatex complex.
The Hitman ‘s camp regard the hard hitting South African Thompson Mokwana (21 10 1) as a tough opponent for the vacant WBO Africa lightweight title.
Moses has seen it all in boxing, having held the WBO Africa, WBO International and WBA world lightweight titles. This experience will come in handy against Mokwana, fight promoter Nestor Tobias said.
“I still have a lot of confidence in Paulus Moses. He is one of the most disciplined boxers, a very humble man and a hardworking fighter who does not take anything for granted. He is a world class fighter, and we are confident of victory on 11 June, ” Tobias said.
He added that the 37 year old ‘s record of 36 wins and three losses in 39 fights means he remains an attractive proposition the world over.
“A win will certainly mean bigger things for him because of his impressive record and reputation in the world of boxing. He is the man whom all world class fighters would want to fight, a real pound for pound boxer, ” said a confident Tobias.
“No boxer has had more [professional] fights than The Hitman [in Namibia], and he is still going strong, is super fit and committed to the sports of boxing. ”
Moses said he intends to knock out Mokwana.
“I have been there before. I therefore know the way to get to the top again, and I know this fight will take me back to the top and open opportunities to get me to my ultimate best, ” he said.
“I am happy that my team still believes in me, and am thankful for their continued investment in my boxing career. Boxing has been my life, and I wish to assure the nation that I will not disappoint them, come 11 June.
I will be a delight to watch. This young man is coming to Namibia to challenge a former world champion. I know he is a former champion himself and has beaten undefeated fighters in his last fights, but I am not worried. I will respectfully knock him out on 11 June, ” stated Moses.
Buoyed by moving up from eighth to fifth in the space of two months on the WBO world ratings, Naidjala is equally determined to get another shot at the world title after his first attempt ended in a points ‘ defeat to Tomoki Kameda of Japan in 2013.
“I want to know what it feels like to be a world champion. It is my dream, and I am working towards realising it. I came close once, ” he said.
Since attaining the WBO Inter continental bantamweight title last year, Naidjala has swiftly moved up the rankings, and a successful title defence against Klaas Mboyane of South Africa will push him closer to a world title showdown.
Ahead of Naidjala in the rankings are title holder Pungluang Sor Singyu of Thailand, Filipino Marlon Tapales, Alexis Santiago of the USA, Mexican Alejandro Hernandez and Lwandile Sityatha, who is the WBO International champion from South Africa.
“This improved rating will give me confidence. I ‘m already confident, but this just gives me extra motivation because I know when I win I ‘ll move up the ratings again and get closer to a world title fight, ” he noted.
Tickets to the ‘Celebrate Your Own ‘ bonanza are N$20 000 for VVIP tables, N$500 for VIPs and N$100 for general seats at Computicket outlets countrywide.
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