Shihepo takes on Shilemba in SA

SUPER middleweight boxer Wilberforce ‘Black Mamba’ Shihepo will square up against Malawi’s Isaack Shilemba in a six-round rematch of their international fight at the Emperors Palace in Johannesburg, South Africa, tomorrow night.

The Namibian ended on the winning side in their first encounter at the same venue in May this year and yesterday vowed that he will repeat the feat. Shihepo won on points after they went the full distance of six rounds.”I am in great shape, even better than the first time.I am planning to knock him out any time, even in the first round,” said Shihepo.He added that if Shilemba, who has a record of 10 fights and nine wins, makes a mistake, he will take him out.He left for South Africa with trainer and boxing promoter Nestor Tobias yesterday.Tobias said the fight is important for both boxers in a bid to increase their professional tallies before going for bigger titles.Tobias believes that Shihepo, who currently has 12 wins from 16 professional fights, would challenge for a world title sometime next year.”It is good for him to fight as much as possible at the moment as he will be gaining experience and that it will also improve his fighting abilities.He is a more skilful boxer than Shilemba although his opponent is big in stature.I don’t see him losing this fight because he has worked hard and has been responding very well to training since his last fight in August,” said Tobias.The fight will be televised by SuperSport but will be delayed, according to Tobias, who has been clinching top-class fights for most of the boxers in his stable.Shihepo’s fight will be the main bout of the evening and is set to attract a huge crowd, as there will also be several undercards from some local and foreign-based boxers.Tobias said he is funding Shihepo’s trip to South Africa from his own pocket, as there are many boxers who don’t have sponsors.”He does not have a sponsor and I think it will be good if any company can get on board and support some of our talented boxers.They have over the years shown their potential and it will only be wise if they get the financial support from some of these big companies,” he said.Shihepo is one of the many successful boxers training at the Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy.Other prominent fighters from the same stable include Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses, Jason ‘Taks’ Naule and Vikapita ‘The Beast’ Meroro, with a host of others who are still working their way up into the professional ranks.Shihepo won on points after they went the full distance of six rounds.”I am in great shape, even better than the first time.I am planning to knock him out any time, even in the first round,” said Shihepo.He added that if Shilemba, who has a record of 10 fights and nine wins, makes a mistake, he will take him out.He left for South Africa with trainer and boxing promoter Nestor Tobias yesterday.Tobias said the fight is important for both boxers in a bid to increase their professional tallies before going for bigger titles.Tobias believes that Shihepo, who currently has 12 wins from 16 professional fights, would challenge for a world title sometime next year.”It is good for him to fight as much as possible at the moment as he will be gaining experience and that it will also improve his fighting abilities.He is a more skilful boxer than Shilemba although his opponent is big in stature.I don’t see him losing this fight because he has worked hard and has been responding very well to training since his last fight in August,” said Tobias.The fight will be televised by SuperSport but will be delayed, according to Tobias, who has been clinching top-class fights for most of the boxers in his stable.Shihepo’s fight will be the main bout of the evening and is set to attract a huge crowd, as there will also be several undercards from some local and foreign-based boxers.Tobias said he is funding Shihepo’s trip to South Africa from his own pocket, as there are many boxers who don’t have sponsors.”He does not have a sponsor and I think it will be good if any company can get on board and support some of our talented boxers.They have over the years shown their potential and it will only be wise if they get the financial support from some of these big companies,” he said.Shihepo is one of the many successful boxers training at the Nestor Sunshine Tobias Boxing and Fitness Academy.Other prominent fighters from the same stable include Paulus ‘The Hitman’ Moses, Jason ‘Taks’ Naule and Vikapita ‘The Beast’ Meroro, with a host of others who are still working their way up into the professional ranks.