Newly-crowned WBO Africa junior lightweight champion Martin Mukungu hopes to defend his title in front of his home supporters at Rundu after producing one of the biggest upsets in Namibian boxing history.
Mukungu stunned the boxing fraternity on Saturday night when he knocked out previously unbeaten champion Flame Nangolo in the first round to capture the continental title in Windhoek.
The new champion says the result did not come as a surprise to him and his team, who had prepared for the contest for months.
“We talked about it. We knew a knockout could come, but we didn’t go in looking for a knockout,” Mukungu says.
“We were planning to take him into deeper waters before we drowned him, but the opportunity came early.”
He says he sensed trouble for Nangolo almost immediately after landing his jab.
“The first jab I landed caught him already. I saw it landed on the right spot,” he says.
“When he grabbed me, I could see he was already hurt. My corner was shouting that he was out already. I didn’t want to rush. I just kept feinting and then landed the money punch.”
While attention has focused on the shock result, both Mukungu and his promoter, Nestor Tobias, are already looking ahead, with the possibility of taking a future title defence to the Kavango East capital.
“It will really mean something big to me. It will really mean a lot because I always knew that I might become African champion,” Mukungu says.
“I really want to defend my title at Rundu.”
The victory was a particularly emotional one for Mukungu, who had publicly promised to bring the WBO Africa belt home to Rundu before the fight.
Just days after fulfilling that promise, the champion says he is eager to celebrate the achievement with the community that supported him throughout his career.
Tobias says the idea of staging a title defence at Rundu is already under consideration.
“Of course, it’s always good to fight in front of your home crowd and home people,” he says.
“That is something also in my mind and I’m going to work on that so he can defend his title in front of his people at Rundu.”
Tobias, however, acknowledges that a lack of suitable sporting facilities remains a challenge not only at Rundu, but across Namibia.
He points out that promoters often struggle to find venues capable of hosting major boxing events and attracting large crowds.
The prospect of a title fight at Rundu has also reignited discussion around boxing development in the Kavango East region.
Mukungu believes there is no shortage of talent in the area, but says young fighters often lack the equipment, sponsorship and resources needed to enhance their potential.
“I’ve been watching some of them coming for the amateur fights here. I see champions at Rundu also,” he says.
“There are boxers. They just need equipment and all those things.”
The champion calls on businesses and potential sponsors to support boxing development in the region, saying many athletes continue to pursue their dreams despite limited resources.
“I think we should start investing in boxing,” Mukungu says.
“We hope there will be sponsors coming on board for us to help us out.”
While a homecoming title defence remains a longer-term goal, Tobias says Mukungu’s immediate focus will be on improving his international ranking and pursuing bigger opportunities.
The victory over Nangolo earned Mukungu the WBO Africa title and is expected to boost his standing in the continental and world rankings.
According to Tobias, the win has opened the door to higher-profile fights against stronger opponents as the team begins plotting a route towards a world title challenge.
However, the focus remains on celebrating a career-defining victory for now.
