Veteran boxing promoter Nestor Tobias says Paulinus ‘Jon Jon’ Ndjolonimus is, without a doubt, Namibia’s next world boxing champion.
Ndjolonimus last fought in July against German opponent Simon Zachenhuber, but lost due to a decision in favour of Zachenhuber, which many have described as controversial and biased.
Speaking to Desert FM recently, Tobias said: “Ndjolonimus is now hitting the gym like never before. He is preparing for a world title to be announced very soon.
“Man, he is very hungry, and I am sure we aim to fight for a world title. We are in line for the World Boxing Organisation, International Boxing Federation and International Boxing Council titles. It will not matter who wins or loses between Canelo Alvarez vs Terence Crawford on 13 September.”
The Namibian boxing promoter has his eyes fixed on the outcome of Alvarez and Crawford’s fight, dubbed ‘Once in a lifetime and there can only be one’.
The much-talked-about fight next month is an upcoming super middleweight professional boxing bout to be contested between the undisputed super middleweight Mexican champion and the former undisputed American welterweight and light welterweight champion.
The duo will lock horns for the undisputed super middleweight championship of the world.
It will take place at the Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada.
However, despite the fight being rated high, Tobias is confident that Ndjolonimus can take on either of the two.
“We are in line for those titles. There is no way out. How difficult it is to bring a boxer into the top 15 world ratings? It is not easy, and there is no way one can give up his hard work for nothing,” he said.
Tobias, also known as ‘Namibia’s Don King’, described Ndjolonimus as healthy and strong, adding he is optomistic.
“The only job he has is boxing, and it’s from boxing that he is making a penny. I’m confident that Ndjolonimus will fight for a world title, and that is our aim right now.
“We are very close to getting a world champion.”
Tobias said they are on the right path and that his highly rated boxers have the capacity and talent to clinch any world title.
He said producing a world champion is, however, costly.
“We are there, but we still lack funds to keep our guys on the heels of the other champions of the world.”
SUPPORT FOR BRAVE WARRIORS
Despite being a boxing promoter, Tobias called on Namibians to rally behind the senior national men’s football team.
“It’s a national event, not just for the Brave Warriors as they are carrying a heavy calling, but as sport lovers, we must rally behind these boys . . .
“We are very confident that the Brave Warriors will produce the desired results against both Malawi and Sao Tome and Principe in Francistown, Botswana.
“Go there, represent Namibia, and take us to the Fifa World Cup,” he said.
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