Oosthuizen pulls out of Meroro date

HEAVYWEIGHT boxer Vikapita Meroro’s March 26 opponent, Thomas Oosthuizen, has opted out of their WBC Intercontinental title match-up.

The South African is said to have changed his mind in favour of dropping down to the super-middleweight division. Meroro’s trainer and promoter, Nestor ‘Sunshine’ Tobias, informed The Namibian Sport yesterday that Oosthuizen will be replaced by his Golden Gloves stablemate, Malawian-born Isaac Chilemba (23), who competes in both the light-heavyweight and super-middleweight classes.Chilemba, the IBO world super-middleweight champion, last fought Oosthuizen in Johannesburg in a fight that ended in a draw. Tobias said they would need to sign a new contract for the fight.’I got an email from Golden Gloves that said Oosthuizen will no longer fight Meroro,’ said Tobias of the switch.’I think they (Golden Gloves) realised that to fight Meroro is dangerous for him (Oosthuizen). We’re gonna take the fight because it’s good for Meroro.’Chilemba once held the WBO light-heavyweight title which now belongs to Meroro, but relinquished it when he contested for his current title. On July 5 2007 Meroro’s compatriot, Willbeforce Shihepo, halted Chilemba’s run of eight successive victories at the Emperor’s Palace in Gauteng. However he reversed the outcome against Shihepo on November 21 the same year, winning on points over six rounds. Tobias said the switch had not detracted his fighter from the job at hand.’He (Meroro) knows what’s at stake,’ Tobias said. ‘At this level any fight is tough. If Meroro wins then he will improve his rating and increase his opportunities.’