Former long-term prisoner Paulus Shimweefeleni, better known as ‘Ninja’, was admitted to an intensive care unit at Ongwediva Medipark Hospital following a boxing match on Friday.
Shimweefeleni (54), who was released from prison after 25 years in March last year, had just won a fight against his boxing opponent Hedison Nghipondoka, also known as ‘Bulelo’, at Ondangwa, before he was rushed to hospital following the ‘Battle of the Undefeated’ match.
Nghipondoka on Saturday told The Namibian he had gone to visit Shimweefeleni in hospital on Saturday morning.
“I was informed he is now doing a bit better,” he said, adding that he was praying for Shimweefeleni’s speedy recovery.
The incident has sparked public outrage.
Nghipondoka said critics questioning the safety of the boxing match on social media should understand it was sanctioned by the Namibia Professional Boxing and Wrestling Control Board and that boxing itself is a high-risk sport.
“In boxing, anything can happen. It can be a matter of life and death. However, the match was sanctioned by the authorities,” he said.
Boxing board member Anita Tjombe said: “Unfortunately we have no information.”
She referred The Namibian to the ring doctor only known as Pandu.
Local football publication Footy Namibia wished Shimweefeleni
a speedy recovery on its social media platforms.
“Despite Bulelo’s knockdown, Ninja bounced back and won by unanimous decision,” the publication said online.
Lawyer Kadhila Amoomo criticised the boxing authorities for what happened, urging them to intervene in such exhibitions.
“Yes, they are entertaining and are a good source of income, but we still need to regulate them. People should not get carried away and hurt each other. The boxing council can actually be sued for sanctioning this kind of event,” Amoomo said on his social media page.
He questioned the weight difference between
Shimweefeleni and Nghipondoka.
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