VIKAPITA ‘Beast Master’ Meroro’s wish for a world title fight has been granted, after WBO light heavyweight Juergen Braehmer eventually agreed to the challenge of the African champion in September or October.
Braehmer ‘s promoters, Universal Promotions, had initially invited WBO Africa light-heavyweight champion Meroro to vie for the world title on July 17, but the fight never materialised. Instead, in a dubious turn of events, Braehmer was scheduled to fight Spain’s WBO-Europe champion Alejandro Lakatos, with Meroro taking on – and defeating – Russian Jevgenijs Andrejevs on points. In another twist, Braehmer never entered the ring against Lakatos, citing an injury to his back in training.
However the German is now ready to host the ‘Beast Master’, pending negotiations for the broadcasting rights to the fight.
‘They (Braehmer’s camp) e-mailed me last night to confirm the fight,’ Meroro’s promoter and trainer, Nestor Tobias, told The Namibian Sport yesterday. ‘We are just waiting for a TV date.’
Tobias said the world champion’s camp instructed him to take up their offer, over a contest for the WBO intercontinental light-heavyweight title shot that Meroro had attracted, following his victory over Andrejevs.
‘They told me not to take that fight anymore,’ said Tobias of the prospect of his feared pugilist squaring up to another Russian in St Petersburg.
Meroro was aiming to enhance his credentials for a shot at the big time with a maiden defence of his WBO Africa light-heavyweight title next month. But that will no longer be necessary as he now firmly looks forward to a meeting with the evasive southpaw Braehmer.
Tobias said: ‘He (Meroro) is already in training. He does not have anyone to spar with.
‘We’ll try to get someone from the neighbouring countries to spar with him. We don’t have big southpaw guys in Namibia.’
Tobias also said budding world beater and WBO welterweight Africa title holder Betuel ‘Tyson’ Uushona will be going to South Africa next month to ‘keep him active’. Uushona is expected to fight Pius Dibeko in defence of his African title.
‘His fight was supposed to be on the 21st (this month) in Windhoek but because we have no funds for the fight and now we have had to postpone it.
‘This is to maintain his stability and fitness, and also to boost his world rating.’
