Namibia beat SA boxers at bonanza

THE Namibian boxers won all their bouts during the International Boxing Bonanza staged at Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre on Saturday evening.

In the main fight of the night, Namibia’s Jason Naule beat Thulani Mkhwanazi from South Africa in the junior welterweight division over six rounds. According to boxing promoter Nestor Tobias, it was a close fight but Naule was the better boxer and won on points.He said all the fights were tough but Namibian boxers did well and gave a good show.Tobias said Namibians’ performance on the night was an indication that they are improving.”They only need more support from the Namibian public,” added Tobias.In the welterweight category, Namibia’s Daniel ‘Open Fire’ Kashela knocked out John Makhotsa from SA in the second round of their four-round bout.Peteneni Elago also had no mercy for Sipho Silwane (SA) whom he stopped in the fourth and last round of their bantamweight contest.Other Namibians who clinched victory were Junius Amunyela, who beat Goodman Zanempi in the lightweight division, and Vikapita Meroro, who recorded his fourth win against Oupa Mahlangu (SA) in the super middleweight.Siegfried Kaperu celebrated his return to the boxing ring with a win over Simphiwe Pinda (SA) in the featherweight class over four rounds, while the flyweight Simon Negodhi beat Matthew Toli (SA) on points.In the junior middleweight, Tommy Hango beat Mphambanyeni Khaphathe (SA).Only one of the nine boxers billed to fight on the night did not trade blows.Middleweight boxer Wilberforce Shihepo opted out in order to prepare for another fight scheduled on 10 June in South Africa.Shihepo will fight in an undercard fight on the night that compatriot Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan African lightweight belt.Meroro will also feature in an undercard fight on the same bill.The fights were made possible by Telecom Namibia, Air Namibia, Hollard Insurance Namibia and the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre and were promoted by the Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias Fitness and Boxing Academy.- NampaAccording to boxing promoter Nestor Tobias, it was a close fight but Naule was the better boxer and won on points.He said all the fights were tough but Namibian boxers did well and gave a good show.Tobias said Namibians’ performance on the night was an indication that they are improving.”They only need more support from the Namibian public,” added Tobias.In the welterweight category, Namibia’s Daniel ‘Open Fire’ Kashela knocked out John Makhotsa from SA in the second round of their four-round bout.Peteneni Elago also had no mercy for Sipho Silwane (SA) whom he stopped in the fourth and last round of their bantamweight contest.Other Namibians who clinched victory were Junius Amunyela, who beat Goodman Zanempi in the lightweight division, and Vikapita Meroro, who recorded his fourth win against Oupa Mahlangu (SA) in the super middleweight.Siegfried Kaperu celebrated his return to the boxing ring with a win over Simphiwe Pinda (SA) in the featherweight class over four rounds, while the flyweight Simon Negodhi beat Matthew Toli (SA) on points.In the junior middleweight, Tommy Hango beat Mphambanyeni Khaphathe (SA).Only one of the nine boxers billed to fight on the night did not trade blows.Middleweight boxer Wilberforce Shihepo opted out in order to prepare for another fight scheduled on 10 June in South Africa.Shihepo will fight in an undercard fight on the night that compatriot Paulus ‘Hitman’ Moses will defend his World Boxing Association (WBA) Pan African lightweight belt.Meroro will also feature in an undercard fight on the same bill.The fights were made possible by Telecom Namibia, Air Namibia, Hollard Insurance Namibia and the Swakopmund Hotel and Entertainment Centre and were promoted by the Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias Fitness and Boxing Academy.- Nampa